Proposed rainwater recycling fiat hits snag, author cites benefits

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Councilor Ely Estante on Wednesday said his proposed ordinance requiring residents and offices to harvest rainwater would help them save on their utility bills.

The Iloilo City Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance of 2021 would require residential and commercial buildings and private and government offices to install rainwater harvesters.

It would also require buildings and houses being developed and renovated to include a 25-square-meter rainwater catchment area in their plans.

The measure also offers incentives to owners of existing of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings who will install rainwater harvesting facilities.

Entrepreneurs and organizations dedicated to the construction, installation, innovation, research, and training for rainwater harvesting systems will also receive incentives.

Estante said in a radio interview that his proposed ordinance will also result in saving on water and electricity bills.

It will also address water shortage and mitigate flooding in the city.

“The city has experienced floods, so instead of the water going to unpaved areas or going straight to canals, it would be better for us to catch it. Based on our ordinance (sic), the water would be used for domestic use, like cleaning cars, houses, laundry, putting out fires, watering plants, and flushing toilets,” Estante said.

As to the required area of the harvesting facility, the councilor clarified that the presence of the facility is the most important part in terms of compliance.

City Councilor Irene Ong, who is also the Liga ng mga Barangay president, questioned the 25-sq.m. catchment area requirement during the council’s session on Tuesday.

Estante explained that the area requirement is more of awareness, and it will only be imposed on multi-storey commercial and industrial buildings and complexes exceeding 100 square meters.

Estante said compliance would depend on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the ordinance, which would be completed by a Technical Working Group within 6 months after the ordinance’s approval.

Implementation of the ordinance’s penalties and incentives would also be spelled out in the final IRR.

“If your house cannot have the [25-square-meter] catchment area, there are alternatives you can do, like use drum, a pail, or a basin. At least for compliance, you can do that,” Estante said.

The ordinance’s approval was deferred to allow Ong to further scrutinize the ordinance, especially the area requirement for the harvesting facility.

Estante said the ordinance will be strictly imposed after the three-year transition from its approval. The 6-month period after the approval will also be dedicated to the crafting of the IRR.

The ordinance will also be e published in a newspaper for 15 days.

Estante said he is willing to listen to suggestions from the public and experts that can be included in the IRR.