The city government, in partnership with concerned government agencies and private higher education institutions, will pilot test the operation of an artificial groundwater recharge facility to maximize the huge volume of rainfall to recharge the depleted aquifers.
The study will be jointly undertaken by the Cordillera offices of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Watershed and Water Research and Development Council (WWRDC), the University of the Cordilleras, and the city government.
The project will involve the gathering of rain water from the roof of the Baguio swimming pool, which will be directed to a catchment and filtration area before being directed to the aquifer through an injection well that will be constructed for real time recharging.
Based on the project proposal, the city will provide a counterpart of P2.5 million to construct the injection well within the proposed project site.
The study will be for two years. The constructed facilities, together with the provided monitoring devices, among other facilities, will be turned over to the city government for possible replication in other areas in the city.
Based on initial studies, the city gets an annual rainfall of around 965 to 4,064 milliliters, the highest among localities in the country.
The study group said the recharging of the aquifer using the technology will be real time unlike in the natural recharging process, which will take years for the groundwater to reach the aquifer.
According to the group, the Burnham Park area, particularly at the site of the swimming pool, passed the criteria of the DOST for a pilot test on the development of the artificial groundwater recharge facility.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong assured members of the study group the local government will look for funds for its counterpart so that the project can commence. – PIO release
April 27, 2024
