CUSW says: Proposal to conserve rainwater lacks policy

Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water President Fr. Mar Alingasa said the City Council proposal on rainwater conservation should carry a general policy.

The proposed measure, which establishes a water conservation program, is now subject to final consultation.

In a public hearing during the council session on Wednesday, Alingasa said he sees immediate problems as to which branch of the city government will coordinate in the implementation of the ordinance.

Six years ago, City Hall required houses and buildings to have rainwater cisterns, an order that, Alingasa said, was not effectively implemented. He even cited that the new annex building of the City Hall has no rainwater cistern.

Alingasa said in the previous ordinance on cisterns, the Office of the Building Official was the implementing agency but under Archival's ordinance, no implementing branch of government has been stated.

Archival's ordinance stated that rainwater could serve as alternative water source and provide relief to the depleted and salinity-threatened qualifiers.

"In order to prevent the occurrence of water shortage during dry seasons and flooding during rainy seasons, it is essential that broader measures be adopted by requiring building owners of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential projects to incorporate in their plans and designs the construction of rainwater tanks, reservoirs and cisterns," Archival said.

He added that the rainwater run-off, soil erosion and non-point source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the construction of rainwater tanks, reservoirs, cisterns and sewerage system.

But Alingasa said "it must be clear in the implementing rules and regulations of this ordinance whether there is one coordinating office, or should the respective provisions on cisterns and flood control be implemented separately together with their respective planning and management by two agencies."

"Really if this ordinance finds a consistent implementation with corresponding political will and appropriate budgetary measures, Cebu will become one of the model cities nationally and internationally following the worldwide movement of rainwater harvesting and utilization," Alingasa said.

But environmentalist Lindy Morrell, who attended the public hearing, said rainwater is no longer safe because of global warming.

"One assumes that rainwater is safe water to drink because it came from the skies and carries no pollutants. This assumption is no longer valid today. If we put up rainwater and cisterns who will protect the users of collected rainwater from the effects of toxic chemicals and nuclear pollution?" Morrell asked, adding that the skies are already laden with dust and smoke from industries.

Morrell also cited that some city residents cannot afford the cost of rainwater tanks considering the economic crisis, suggesting that the city can look for any alternative options such as planting trees in open spaces. - Garry B. Lao/LPM