PROJECT BACKGROUND
Context
The project is situated in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. This vital ecological zone serves as the lifeblood for the Tagbanua Tribe, the indigenous people residing in Purok Pagbabago Sitio Iratag, Brgy. Irawan. The community is deeply intertwined with the watershed, relying on it for their water needs. However, they face significant challenges, including insufficient water production during the dry season and a heightened risk of water sedimentation amid heavy rainfall. These issues not only threaten the daily lives of the Tagbanua Tribe but also the integrity of the watershed itself, prompting urgent action to safeguard both the community’s welfare and the environmental sanctity of the region.
Project Location
Irawan Watershed, Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Biosphere Reserve, Philippines
Image source: Eco Business
Main Beneficiary
The Local Residents on the coast of Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Problem Statement
The problem statement in one sentence is: The Tagbanua Tribe community in Puerto Princesa City faces critical water challenges due to insufficient water production in the dry season and increased water sedimentation during heavy rainfall, threatening their livelihood and the integrity of the Irawan Watershed.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
Objectives
The project envisions the design, construction, and development of a comprehensive water management system, comprising a storage facility to effectively collect and store water, ensuring a consistent supply. Central to this initiative is an eco-friendly, cost-efficient water filtration system, tailored to meet the unique needs of the local environment. A state-of-the-art real-time monitoring and communication system will be established to meticulously track water quality parameters such as pH, temperature, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and TSS (Total Suspended Solids).
The culmination of this effort is the deployment and seamless integration of the developed device with the existing systems, creating a cohesive unit for storage, filtration, and water quality monitoring. Furthermore, the project will facilitate the sharing of water quality data from the IoT system with local stakeholders, community members, and government agencies, fostering data-driven analytics and informed decision-making for sustainable water resource management.
Project Approach and Methods
The project is a multifaceted water facility aimed at addressing three critical challenges within a targeted community: water scarcity, poor water quality, and insufficient monitoring capabilities, which comprises three integrated systems.
1. Water Storage System
The Water Storage component includes two 200L containers, PVC pipes, pumps, and a wood stand, targeting the lack of consistent water supply.
2. Water Filtration System
The water filtration system utilizes rapid sand and granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters to enhance water quality by removing impurities and contaminants.
3. IoT-based Water Monitoring System
The IoT-Based Water Quality Monitoring System employs sensors to detect parameters like pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in real-time, transmitting data to the cloud via Google Realtime Database technology. The project aims to provide sustainable solutions and improve water access, quality, and monitoring in the community.
Project Results and Outcomes
The Irawan Watershed initiative has achieved remarkable milestones in sustainable water management. The project’s water storage facility now boasts a capacity of 200 liters (about 52.83 gal), readily available to the residents at any time. The water filtration system, a marvel of community engineering, has been successfully installed, transforming turbid water into clarity and empowering the community with the knowledge to replicate the system using locally sourced components. This system has garnered interest for potential sponsorship from Jacobi Carbons, promising ongoing support.
The IoT-based water monitoring system has established a flawless wireless network, relaying stable sensor readings from water quality sensors directly to a real-time database and mobile application, all powered efficiently by a 12VDC power supply. The impact on the community has been profound, with a surge in social media outreach amplifying awareness of water issues. The project has educated 30-40 community members and officials, who are now adept at interpreting the data from the monitoring system, fostering enhanced community engagement and a heightened collective consciousness regarding water quality and conservation strategies.
Project Highlights
See AquaGuardian Philippines’ project highlights below:
PROJECT PARTNERS
ABOUT AQUAGUARDIAN PHILIPPINES
AquaGuardian, a dynamic team of young environmental advocates from the Philippines whose friendship, rooted in their high school days, has blossomed into a powerful force for climate action. Their shared history has not only cultivated deep bonds but has also created a foundation for exceptional teamwork and communication.
Their journey is marked by perseverance and mutual respect, driving their effective problem-solving and adaptability. Each step in their advocacy journey has earned them national recognition and fuels their ongoing efforts. As they continue in the competition, they remain united by friendship and a commitment to environmental change, eager for the new challenges ahead.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
AquaGuardian Philippines
AquaGuardian Philippines’ Social Media:
