Safe drinking water is scarce in Dumaran, Palawan. Especially in 14 barangays, including Poblacion, separated from mainland Palawan. But not anymore. Thanks to the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) solar-powered purification system in a water refilling station built and managed by the municipal government of Dumaran. The project is an innovative solution to improve people’s access to quality drinking water in remote off-grid communities like Dumaran.
The solar-powered water pump has a built-in sensing device to maintain the required volume inside the storage tank. The project is considered best suited for the area since power outages are frequent. The water treatment machine performs water purification by removing solids and other contaminants in the water using the two-stage reverse osmosis process. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification method that uses pressure to remove ions, large molecules, and other unwanted particles. This membrane-filtration technology harnesses electricity. However, it only consumes little energy, so operating costs are relatively low.
The DOST said that despite being surrounded by water, 80.14% of households in Dumaran have no access to clean water for drinking and sanitation, posing a serious health risk to residents and a threat to the development of the remote island.
“Dumaran Island is located off the northeastern flank of Palawan, approximately 34.1 km. from the mainland, and is accessible via pump boat for at least an hour, weather permitting. As it is not connected to any water line, families have long struggled to have accessible quality and safe water. For years, most of them fetch water from deep wells, which they then purify using a makeshift filter made from containers, funnel, sand, and charcoal. Those who can afford to travel to the mainland to buy purified water from refilling stations spend around PHP 75.00 for a 5-gallon container plus the transportation cost. Some enterprising traders travel for about two hours across the sea to source out potable water from Roxas Water District and sell them inside the island for PHP 40.00 to 45.00 per gallon,” excerpts from the documentation of DOST MIMAROPA, titled: Mission Success: DOST turns the tide in Dumaran Island authored by Charlotte Pizarras, Athena Colline L. Verdey and Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo, emailed to this writer.
“With DOST-MIMAROPA’s assistance, residents of Brgy. Poblacion in Dumaran now has an easy and guaranteed-safe accessible water source and filter system which is connected to an existing water source in the area. The system employs two technologies — the solar-powered water pump and the water treatment machine,” the DOST said.
The DOST further explained that the local residents of Dumaran now enjoy accessible purified water which was offered for free, several months after the installation. This 2021, a small fee will be collected from residents for the maintenance in order to sustain the facility and its operations. Since its operation in November 2020, a total of 20,000 liters of purified water has already been produced.
Mayor Arnel Caabay said that the lack of safe potable water in the past caused water-borne diseases and this had been their constant worry on the island for a long time.
“Ito ay napakalaking tulong sa aming mga residente dahil sa ngayon, bukod sa ito ay napapakinabangan nila ng libre, lalo’t higit sa lahat, ito ay malinis at ligtas na inumin. Ang pagkakaroon ng isang malinis, maayos at ligtas na tubig para sa kalusugan ng aming mga mamamayan ay matagal naming pinangarap dito sa islang bahagi ng aming Bayan.” He said.
Prior to this project, the DOST-MIMAROPA assisted the municipality of Dumaran, Palawan through projects for enhancing livelihood opportunities, health and nutrition, education, and public safety in the island via a range of Science and Technology interventions.