‘Artificial aquifer recharging’ solution to massive flooding in the country — expert
Nov 25, 2020 5:58:44 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 25) — An expert is proposing artificial aquifer recharging in mountains to solve massive floods that occur every time strong typhoons hit the country.
Jesus Las Marias, Water Policy Research Director of the Inang Lupa Movement Inc., told a Senate hearing on Wednesday that the system would lead the water down to an underground layer where it will be stored instead of it flowing to the communities.
To start the project, he said the government should already come up with a hydrogeological profiling for the whole country to know how much water can be stored underground.
Aside from keeping rainwater from flowing to the communities, this can also recharge aquifers and make sure there is water supply, especially during dry seasons. This is also cheaper and less complicated to put up and there is no need to evacuate communities, Marias added.
If this will be implemented next year, this can be completed after one to two years compared to dams that take around seven years to complete, he explained.
However, Winlove Bungabong, Ecosystems Management Specialist from the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR, said it is important to make sure the water that will be infiltrated into aquifers will be potable to ensure ground water will not be contaminated.
Meanwhile, architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox said cities in the country lack green spaces that naturally recharge aquifers.
He noted that high-rise buildings in other countries have big open spaces around them, which is not being observed in the country.
“It’s 90% cheaper to address the hazard bago maging (before it becomes a) disaster, (there should be a) holistic dapat ang approach. Hindi lang puro (Not only) gray infrastructure, we should go into green infrastructure as well,” Palafox said.
SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/11/25/artificial-aquifer-recharging-solution-to-massive-flooding.html
