NADZRIN B.

SAHIPA
BSCE 5B

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2

1. Comment on the water utilization availability in the Philippines. What can you suggest or
recommend? (5pts).

Water is an extremely important resource that we cannot live without. But there are Filipinos who are
still being left behind in terms of access to improved water sources, especially in rural communities. Water
shortage is not a new problem in the Philippines. In 2019, the WHO reported that at least one out of 10
people in the country still do not have access to high-quality water sources.

During summer, and especially when an El Niño is occurring, it is almost impossible to bathe
daily. It’s almost expected that water won’t flow during the day. Many urban households wake up in the
middle of the night, when running water is available, to store it in drums and pails. Individuals can
contribute in their own ways to prevent themselves from scarce water resources by conserving and if
possible, recycling water. They may lessen their water consumption per day so as to sustain water
resources.

2. Explain the development of water resources in our country. How can we achieve a sustainable
development? (10 pts)

Development of water resources has often been directed towards economic growth of poor
countries like the Philippines, which is completely different from reducing poverty, inequalities,
promoting well-being or gender justice (which are more difficult to quantify), but which in
macroeconomic terms would theoretically contribute to the overall economic growth of the world and at
the end of the day benefit the original donor government.
We can achieve sustainable development by conserving water from our households. Or in the
other hand if possible, practice and study about rainwater harvesting. Since we experience severe rainfall
here in our country, rainwater harvesting is a good investment for preserving water resources.
3. Provide data/details for the following:

a. Domestic water requirement for urban population

b. Domestic and livestock water requirement for rural population

4. In your own household, compute your water consumption per person (for bathing, washing of
utensils, clothes and household, etc.). (10 pts)

Using the Online Application of Zamboanga City Water District:

Consumption: 20 cubic meters

No. of Person: 6
Period Covered: 30 days

Amount per cubic meter (½” meter size) = 22.25php

Average per person: 3.71php ÷ 22.25php per m3 = 0.17m3

∴ The average water consumption per household member is 0.17 m 3 per day or 170
liters. This includes the water consumption for bathing, washing of clothes, utensils, and other
household chores.

5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dams, barrages and canals/tunnels. Provide
images/diagrams/pictures. (20 pts)
 ADVANTAGES

a. Dams help us to retain our water supply.

When we take an opportunity to dam a river, then the water will pool to form a reservoir behind
the structure. This outcome allows the population centers in that region to collect fresh water during periods of
heavy precipitation for use during a dry spell or drought. We also use this engineering marvel to control
floodwaters or to supply a fixed amount of fluid to the surrounding areas for agricultural irrigation.

b. This technology provides us with critical recreational opportunities.

Dams can provide us with a wide range of economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Numerous reservoirs around the United States offer opportunities to go camping, boating, and waterskiing. It
gives regions that generally wouldn’t have water access a place to have a boat launch that supports commercial
fishing activities. These destinations can be the perfect place to have a picnic, go hiking, and spend time with your
family.

c. Dams provide us with a source of clean energy.

Hydroelectricity is responsible for 19% of the world’s energy supply, offering over 3000
terawatts each year. We can produce power from dams because of the kinetic energy of the water
 movements as it causes turbines to spin. That’s what allows us to generate electricity that is clean and
renewable. Once the dam gets entirely constructed, we no longer have a dependence on fossil fuels to be
responsible for the energy we need to maintain a modern lifestyle.

d. Dam give us a way to irrigate crop lands that may not receive enough moisture.

About 10% of the croplands in the United States are currently irrigated using water that is stored
in reservoirs behind a dam. Tens of thousands of jobs are directly tied to crop production and other
agricultural activities that happen because of this benefit. Our food distribution networks remain active
and consistent because of this advantage, and it allows us to do more with our growing efforts than if we
relied on seasonal precipitation patterns alone.

DISADVANTAGES

a. The construction of a dam is a costly investment.

A large dam is defined as a structure that is higher than 15 meters. This definition means there are
more than 57,000 structures around the world. Major dams are over 150 meters tall, and there are over
300 of these. China has the most, with over 23,000 operational facilities. The United States is in second,
but far behind at 9,200. The cost of a large dam today can be over $20 billion, and it may take between 7
to 10 years to complete its construction. Those are resources that many communities could put to better
use.

b. Reservoirs can be challenging to maintain.

When drought is a significant issue for a community, then a reservoir that’s behind a dam can be
a vital resource. Maintaining this new body of water comes with a set of its own challenges because
evaporation can happen during dry times and result in an increase in environmental problems. There also
tends to be a significant buildup of organic matter in the sediment with this disadvantage, resulting in
potentially carcinogenic trihalomethanes when the water gets chlorinated for drinking purposes.
c. Dams can have an adverse impact on the groundwater table.

When riverbeds experience deepening, then this problem creates a lower groundwater table along
the river. That means it is more challenging for plant roots to reach what is required for survival.
Homeowners in the vicinity must also dig deeper wells to draw water for their households. This issue can
even change the mineral content and salts found in the fluid, creating damage to soil structures along the
way.

d. Dams create a flooding risk if they experience a failure.

We might use dams to provide us with a form of flood control, but the failure of this structure can
have devastating consequences for downstream communities. The Vajont Dam Failed in 1963, only 4
years after its construction was finalized just outside of Venice, Italy. A landslide during the initial filling
triggered a tsunami in the reservoir, causing over 50,000,000 cubic meters of floodwater that impacted
nearby towns and villages. Some reports say that the wave was over 820 feet high.

6. Explain the different management strategies/tools for water resources planning. (10 pts)

A water management strategy is a plan or a specific project to meet a need for additional water by
a discrete user group, which can mean increasing the total water supply or maximizing an existing supply.
Strategies can include development of new groundwater or surface water supplies; conservation;
reuse; demand management; expansion of the use of existing supplies such as improved
operations or conveying water from one location to another; or less conventional methods like
weather modification, brush control, and desalination.