1.

Problem:
Water Sustainability in Davao City
Davao City, like many urban centers in the Philippines, faces challenges related to
water sustainability due to rapid urbanization, rising demand for water, and
increasing climate variability. The city relies heavily on surface water sources, which
can become strained during dry periods or droughts. Furthermore, with frequent
heavy rains, much of the water from floods goes unutilized, creating both water
supply and flood management issues. Many households and commercial
establishments still use potable water for non-essential purposes such as toilet
flushing, contributing to the overall strain on the city's water resources.
The issue of water scarcity and wasteful consumption of potable water for non-
potable uses, such as toilet flushing, becomes more critical as Davao's population
grows. There is an opportunity to address these issues by exploring flood water
recycling as a solution.
2. Engineering Solution:
Flood Water Recycling System for Toilet Flushing in Households
The proposed solution is to recycle floodwater to be used for non-potable
applications, such as toilet flushing in households, commercial buildings, and public
facilities. The system would involve several key components:
1. Floodwater Collection Infrastructure:
o Install rainwater and floodwater collection systems in flood-prone
areas, which could include catchment basins and stormwater
drains connected to a centralized storage facility.
o Use sensors to monitor the volume and quality of floodwater to
ensure that the water is properly managed and treated.
2. Water Filtration and Treatment:
o First Flush Diverters: To prevent contamination from the initial runoff
(which is often highly polluted), the system will employ first flush
diverters that divert the first few liters of rainwater or floodwater away
from the system to remove debris and contaminants.
o Multi-stage Filtration: After initial diversion, the water would be
routed through a multi-stage filtration system, including sand filters,
activated carbon filters, and UV sterilization or ozone treatment
to remove pathogens and harmful contaminants.
o The filtration system will ensure that water is safe for non-potable use
(toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, etc.).
3. Plumbing Integration:
 o The recycled floodwater would be stored in tanks and then integrated
into the existing household plumbing system, which would include
separate piping for non-potable water use.
o Toilets would be fitted with dual plumbing systems to allow for the use
of recycled water for flushing, reducing the consumption of potable
water for non-essential purposes.
4. Monitoring and Control System:
o Install smart meters and sensors to monitor the quality of recycled
water, system performance, and water usage patterns. This would
ensure the efficiency of the system and provide real-time data to
households on their water usage and savings.
o The smart system can also be linked to a mobile app to send alerts
when the tank is full, when maintenance is required, or if there are any
quality control issues.
5. Community-Wide Integration:
o Davao City could also look at scaling up the system across multiple
households or neighborhoods, linking these systems together for
shared floodwater recycling where centralized facilities treat and
store floodwater for collective use in multiple residences.
o Educational campaigns and local training could be provided to ensure
effective system use and maintenance.
3. Value Proposition:
 Water Conservation: By using recycled floodwater for toilet flushing,
households and businesses can significantly reduce their consumption of
potable water, helping to conserve valuable freshwater resources. This is
especially important for Davao City, which faces seasonal water shortages
and the growing demand for water due to urbanization.
 Reduced Environmental Impact: Recycling floodwater reduces the amount
of water wasted during floods and can help mitigate some of the
environmental effects of poor stormwater management. It also helps lower
the demand on treatment plants and potable water sources, reducing energy
consumption in water treatment.
 Floodwater Utilization: The system repurposes floodwater that would
otherwise go to waste, especially in areas with frequent rainfall. This
approach can be an effective way to turn an environmental challenge
(flooding) into a resource (usable water).
 Cost Savings: Households can save money on their water bills by reducing
their reliance on potable water for non-potable uses. Over time, the initial
 installation and maintenance costs of the system can be offset by the savings
on water bills.
 Public Awareness and Education: The project will increase public
awareness about the importance of water conservation, wastewater
management, and floodwater as a resource, contributing to a more
sustainable water culture in Davao City.
4. Potential Market:
 Households in Flood-Prone Areas: Especially those in low-lying areas or
near rivers and creeks, which frequently experience flooding.
 Commercial Buildings and Institutions: Hotels, malls, and schools that
have high water usage for toilets could be early adopters of this system,
potentially helping to reduce their operational costs and improve their
sustainability profile.
 Local Government and Utilities: The Davao City government, in
partnership with water utilities, could consider implementing this solution on
a city-wide scale, incorporating it into their flood mitigation and water
conservation strategies.
 Construction and Plumbing Companies: Companies involved in new
housing developments or retrofitting existing buildings could offer this
technology as part of green building standards or eco-friendly infrastructure
solutions.
 Environmental NGOs and Sustainability Advocates: Environmental
organizations working on water conservation, climate resilience, and flood
management could partner in promoting and funding this solution.
5. Feasibility:
 Technical Feasibility:
o Floodwater collection and treatment systems using filtration and
disinfection technologies are already in use globally, especially in areas
prone to flooding. The feasibility of implementing this system in Davao
City would depend on local infrastructure and the availability of
floodwater to be recycled.
o The use of dual piping systems and smart water meters is
technically feasible and increasingly affordable, with many utilities
worldwide adopting these technologies for water conservation.
 Economic Feasibility:
o Initial setup costs (for installation, filtration systems, and plumbing
retrofitting) can be relatively high, but the system is designed to be
cost-effective in the long run due to savings on water bills. Public-
 private partnerships or government funding could help subsidize the
upfront costs for households or businesses.
o A pay-as-you-go or rebate system could make the technology more
accessible to lower-income households.
 Social Feasibility:
o There is growing public interest in water conservation and
sustainability, particularly as the impacts of climate change and water
scarcity become more apparent. However, public education will be
essential to gain community buy-in and ensure that the system is used
and maintained properly.
o Local regulations, community acceptance, and the willingness to
embrace non-potable water for everyday use are potential barriers that
will require clear communication and policy support.
 Logistical Feasibility:
o Given Davao’s frequent rainfall and flood events, there is sufficient
potential for harvesting floodwater. The key logistical challenges would
be ensuring efficient collection, treatment, and distribution systems
that can operate effectively in variable flood conditions.
o Collaboration with local water utilities and the government will be
necessary to integrate this system into existing water supply and
wastewater management frameworks.

Conclusion:
The proposal to recycle floodwater for toilet flushing in households in Davao
City offers an innovative solution to water sustainability. By reducing the demand on
potable water for non-potable uses, it addresses both water scarcity and wasteful
water consumption. The system is technically feasible, economically viable in the
long term, and has the potential to significantly improve Davao's resilience to
flooding while contributing to its sustainability goals. With proper planning,
community education, and government support, this solution could be a model for
other urban areas in the Philippines facing similar challenges.