NU12 Idea #5: Rain & Flood Water Collection System by Mariko Franca

I once saw a headline online that read something like "millions of Africans died due to drought".  Then last month the Philippines experienced flood which affected thousands of lives in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and other parts of the country (and we experience this once or twice a year).  I am sad that Africans have died or are dying due to lack of water while Filipinos have died due to a surplus of it.  I hope we can bring the flood here to Africa.  Floods in general destroy livelihood, homes, and properties but maybe it should no longer be that way.  We should try to turn this disaster into a blessing.

I am thinking of a Rain & Flood Water Collection System (RFWCS).  Imagine a big room that can collect rain and flood water.  The system will turn the dirty water into something we can drink, use for bathing, or clean the toilet.  I am not sure if this is possible because I am not an engineer.  However, if it is possible to create one, this is how it will work:

Step 1: A collection funnel will be placed in strategic areas outside the home (i.e. roof, garden, street).  Its purpose is to collect rain and flood water.

Step 2: Water collected by the funnel will flow through connecting tube 1 and into the water room. The water room is located in the central area of the barangay/subdivision possibly underground.  It is the main reservoir of the rain and flood water.

Step 3: From the water room, water will be transferred (using digital technology) to another room where it will be cleansed, filtered, or even sterilized. We will call the room the cleaning room.

Step 4: Water from the cleaning room is connected to homes through connecting tube 2 (ct2). This tube also has a filtering system to make sure that the water that goes through it is fit for use by residents.

Step 5: At the home side, the faucet connected to the ct2 has a cleanliness meter.  It will allow the residents to monitor the cleanliness level of the water that is delivered to them.  The meter will indicate whether the water is safe for human use.  The goal is to make the rain and flood water fit for drinking. However, if people are diffident about drinking it, they can use it for washing the car, cleaning bathrooms, etc.

Below are some of the benefits of having this RFWCF:

1. We will have an alternative source of water.  We can give these bodies of water a break from time to time.  It will not replace water companies like Maynilad since it depends on rain and flood water which is present less than six months every year.  In addition, the system can only collect so much water.

2. Possibly reduced level of flood since some of the rain water is collected before it falls to the ground.

3.  We will conserve water because instead of totally depending on rivers for water source, we can now use rain and flood water for day to day use.  For example, the MMDA or local government can tap into the system for the water they use in watering the plants along the street (i.e. EDSA).

4. Creation of jobs. There will be job opportunities for people to plan, create, and maintain the system. In addition, we need suppliers for the materials (i.e. building materials, filter system) so there will be an additional economic activity in the country. 4