Surigao Port uses water air harvester to fill water supply gap during El NiΓ±o
By
Susil Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) -- The Port Management Office (PMO) in Surigao City recently exhibited the use of a device called an atmospheric water generator (AWG) system to harvest water from the air as the office’s remedy for water scarcity, especially with the onset of the El NiΓ±o season.
The device is manufactured by an Indian
company that extracts clean drinking water from the air, offering a reliable
and renewable source of water in the face of potential shortages.
The system includes a water block
designed for large-scale production, capable of generating up to 250 to 300
liters of clean water daily. Each water block can generate up to 10-12 liters
of water per hour.
It has a 500-liter water tank and a
backup generator for uninterrupted operation when power is not available.
PMO Surigao manager Froilan Caturla
shared that while the country has high humidity like other tropical nations
that often brings discomfort, this also presents an opportunity for AWG
technology to harness this humidity, converting it into refreshing potable
water.
“The Philippines, with its consistently
high relative humidity of 60 to 80 percent, is an ideal environment for this
technology to thrive. This innovative approach shows promise for mitigating
water scarcity challenges in the country, offering a sustainable and reliable
solution to address water scarcity,” Caturla said.
He also shared that the equipment is a
promising innovation that will help them address water scarcity considering
that they are not only catering to the needs of PMO’s personnel but also the
needs of the passengers, saying, “Ito po ay malaking tulong na mabigyan namin
sila ng sanitary potable water, not only for passengers but also for our port
workers.”
 |
| The Port Management Office in Surigao City, under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), showcased the use of the AWG system, a device that will help the office address water scarcity and access to safe drinking water, especially this El NiΓ±o season. Photo courtesy of PMO-Surigao City. |
[This is a big help, so we can provide sanitary and potable water not only for the passengers but also for our port workers.]
Caturla underscored that this innovation
formed part of the PMO’s corporate social responsibility as it served as a
quick response to natural disasters when affected residents badly needed access
to safe drinking water and logistic problems like transporting fresh drinking
water hundreds of miles could be avoided.
“With this technology, a sustainable and portable source of water is now available for everyone,” the port manager added. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte with a report from PPA-PMO Surigao)
