DPWH installs 20 rainwater collectors in South Leyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 14 -- At least 20 rainwater collection systems have been installed in schools, public markets and other government facilities in Southern Leyte to curb water shortage in the province.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte District Engineering Office completed the PHP3.4 million project last month. 

Recipient schools are Rizal, Cambooc, Hantag, Malapoc, Bagtican, Canyu-om and Maasin National Vocational High School in Maasin City; Rizal and Ichon in Macrohon town; San Juan, Sto. Rosario and Bunga in Padre Burgos town; Libagon Elementary School and Libagon National High School in Libagon town.

Other sites are in Silago public market, Silago public terminal, Hinunangan public market, San Juan municipal jail, San Juan slaughter house.

Rainwater collector system harvests, collects and stores rainwater from the roof or from a groundwater catchment or multipurpose pavement for use during dry season. Each facility can store up to 4,000 liters of rainwater. 

The project aims to answer the problems brought by diminishing freshwater supply due to over extraction of groundwater, water pollution, inefficient water infrastructure, and climate change.

Water shortage is a perennial concern in Southern Leyte especially during dry season. 

However, in the past few years the main causes of the problem are the numerous new water consumers, illegal connections, water pipe leakages, and faulty water meters.

The types of rainwater collection systems constructed are reinforced concrete ground storage tank, reinforced steel ground storage tank, plastic container tank, and concrete storage tank. (DPWH-PR/PNA)