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E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 2011 bacteria that live in digestive tract of animals. These bacteria enter water bodies from human and animal wastes. If a large number of coliform bacteria (over 200 colonies/100 mL of water sample) are found in water, it is possible that pathogenic organisms are also present in water. Coliforms by themselves are not pathogenic; they are an indicator organism, which means they may indicate the presence of pathogenic bacteria (Brown, 1995). In terms of total hardness, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Trimetric Method, 2310B was used in determining the properties of water samples. Hardness is a term used to express the properties of highly mineralized water (high TDS concentrations). Water with more than 300 mg/L of hardness is generally considered to be hard, and water with less than 75 mg/L is considered to be soft. Very soft water is undesirable in public supplies because it tends to increase corrosion in metal pipes; also some health officials believe it to be associated with the incidence of heart disease (Nathanson, 1997). The 122 mg/L total hardness of the rainwater harvested and collected was within the standard set by the PNSDW which means that it is safe for drinking. Total dissolved solids dried at 180 0 C, 2540C were the method used in determining the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances present in the water samples. Total dissolved solids (TDS) are an indication of aesthetic characteristics of drinking water and as an aggregate indicator of the presence of a broad array of chemical contaminants (Wikipedia, 2009). Water samples collected from the storage tank were far below the standards set by PNSDW which is 500 mg/L and, therefore, were acceptable for drinking purposes. As to acidity, Potentiometric Method, 2310B was the method used in determining the acidity of the water samples. Acidity may pertain to the level of pH between acidity and alkalinity. Palintest Alkaphot test which used a colometric method covers the total alkalinity range 0-500 mg/L CaCO 3 to check the suitability of natural drinking water. Results of the test indicate that all water samples met the standard of PNSDW. Utilization of Harvested Rainwater Beside its use for drinking purposes, the harvested rainwater was likewise utilized for supplying the water requirements of different vegetable crops (ampalaya, pechay, okra, squash, pole beans, eggplant and tomato), banana and calamansi grown and backyard animals such as cattle (carabao and cow), small ruminants (goat and sheep) as well as native chicken and pigs raised by the households in the project site. With this add-on utilization of harvested rainwater, the more the rooftop rainwater harvesting became highly economically feasible and viable under the village conditions. Acceptability of the Rainwater Harvester Barangay Sapilang is an identified area that lacks supply of water. Based on the information gathered from the community people, this area is seriously experiencing water scarcity most of the time throughout the year due to poor source of water supply. The residents rely largely on a reservoir that was constructed in the school campus. Considering the population in the area, the water supply coming from this reservoir could not completely provide the required volume of water for their daily personal and farm needs. They even organized themselves to plan out other ways and means for another possible source of water. They constructed a deep well somewhere 153
E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 2011 in their area as a supplemental source of water. Hence, the establishment of the Rainwater Harvesting Project in the area was very timely and a welcome relief in the community. The community found the rainwater harvesting system as convenient in the sense that it provides water at the point of consumption, and family members have full control of their system, thereby greatly reducing the operation and maintenance problems. Aside from knowing that rainwater harvested is suitable for drinking, the community noted that it can be used for other purposes such as those mentioned above, that is, for irrigating vegetable and fruit crops as well as supplying the water needs of the animals tended in the backyard. This alone, according to the barangay respondents, justifies the putting up of the rainwater harvesting project in their locality. Political Acceptability Various levels of governmental and community involvement in the development of rainwater harvesting technologies in different parts of Asia were noted. In the Philippines, both governmental and household-based initiatives played key roles in expanding the use of this technology, especially in water scarce areas like barangay Sapilang. Upon showing the advantages and benefits that could be derived from the rainwater harvesting system, the local officials agreed to include the system as priority project of the barangay. The same project was planned to be indorsed to the Local Government Unit of Bacnotan for possible integration to its five-year development plan so that the greater number of barangays in the municipality could benefit from the project. Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions Based on the findings of the project, the following conclusions were derived: a. The rainwater harvesting system harnessing house rooftops is technically feasible, environmentally sound, economically viable, socially and politically acceptable. b. Harvested rainwater is safe for drinking and could be utilized to augment the water requirement of different crops grown and animals raised in the backyard. Recommendations Taking into account the above findings, the following recommendations are forwarded: 1. Initiative of piloting the house rooftop rainwater harvesting system be intensified and expanded to far- flung barangays especially to those areas experiencing water quality problems for drinking purposes. 2. The rainwater harvesting system be part of the initiative or part of the ordinance of the local government units under their water for all programs so that regular budget allocation be given to the project. 3. Wide dissemination of the project be done at the LGUs level as an adaptation strategy to address water scarcity attributed to climate change and El Niňo. 154
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