A new mindset for water use

The Philippines consumes a lot of water, due mostly to its relatively large population of nearly 100 million. Water is used for farm irrigation, for power generation, for sewage and sanitation, for household and industrial use, and for human and livestock consumption, among other things. And all these are adversely affected by seasonal supply problems.

Admittedly, the government can only do so much in addressing supply concerns, and it appears that efforts are under way to initiate major infrastructure projects relative to improving
water supply to urban and farm areas. However, all big projects take time to finish, so any substantial improvement in supply may not be expected in the next three to five years.

Meantime, the government and the private sector can already join hands in undertaking efforts to mitigate supply issues through conservation. Relative to demand, people can make do with what’s on hand, meantime, by trying to save on resources, while the government works on projects that can later boost supply. And to this end, perhaps the water distributors themselves can take the lead.

Conservation takes many forms. It can mean restraint in the use of water, or simply being sensible and more conscious of how much is used and where it is used, or being wise as to how to efficiently use the resource with the help of technology and other tools to maximize gain and boost productive results.

In this respect, technology and expertise for “green” living are already available even locally, and in very capable hands. However, the issue, it seems, is that while such technology and expertise are, indeed, available, these are not necessarily easily accessible particularly to small households and businesses.

And in the case of water, this is where a water utility like Manila Water and contractors and developers can take the extra effort to educate and guide, and possibly train, the consuming public in new ways, methods and technologies that can help make households and businesses make use of water efficiently.

To an extent, such an effort may be contrary to the utilities’ business objective of encouraging consumption. After all, a drop in consumption can result in a drop in profits. On the other hand, water is a finite resource, and efficient use today can result in better long-term prospects. Thus, moves must be made to help people become responsible consumers.

And such an initiative should go beyond a media campaign to encourage conservation. This should go beyond lip-service or just a communication program. Water utilities, in particular, should make a proactive effort to harness their business resources to put in place a structure or system for consumers that effectively promotes productive and efficient use of resources.

Take the case of Manila Water, which is sister company to major real-estate development giant Ayala Land. There are synergies in these companies’ respective expertise relative to building new houses and commercial spaces specifically designed to efficiently use water and other resources. Perhaps such expertise need not be limited to the Ayala Group and can be shared with the consuming public?

And while it may be a costly effort on their part to “give away” their respective expertise, much like an extension service, to consumers, the same can go a very long way in forging better relations with their customers. And it will also help in the campaign to preserve a precious resource like water, which is to everybody’s benefit.

It shouldn’t take much for Manila Water to tie up with Ayala Land to operate a small unit addressing queries from homeowners and small builders on how they can design, build, or restore and improve homes, offices, or stores so they can save on water. And in exchange, Manila Water-Ayala Land can ask for a small donation for the planting of more trees in watershed areas like La Mesa.

Other than offering technical services to their customers, Manila Water and Ayala Land can also build low-cost and eco-friendly model homes that are wind-cooled, relatively water-free to operate, and maximizes the use of natural light. These model homes can be built on the grounds of universities offering engineering courses, and be opened to the public for viewing.

Plans and designs of such homes can also be made available online to property owners and builders interested in copying or adopting them, and can be shared with engineering students and other interested parties in public lectures, or through their release in trade publications and other distribution channels. Discussion groups can also be hosted to discuss new building trends and arising issues.

Manila Water-Ayala Land can also encourage their customers to engage in sustainable reporting themselves, alongside the Ayala Group’s own efforts relative to this. Share with them a small-scale, low-level reporting system suited for households and small businesses that can be a reliable and helpful guide to long-term efforts to promote efficiency and productivity.

Of course, such a campaign cannot happen overnight. And there are technicalities to consider, and for sure, there will be critics of such engagement of the public. But creating a publicly accessible knowledge database on “green,” eco-friendly and sustainable building, establishing an online community dedicated to it, and cascading to common folks the advantages of sustainable reporting may prove to be a good start for promoting sustainable development.

Comments to matort@yahoo.com –Marvin A. Tort / Sway, Businessmirror