WRMO issues water conservation guidelines for gov’t offices
THE newly-created Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) has released guidelines for the effective implementation of water conservation measures as it reminded every government office of the impending El Nino and potential drought this year.
WRMO, which is under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) , has been directed by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to monitor the progress of all agencies towards water conservation.
The country’s Chief Executive through Memorandum Order 22 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 7, mandated all government offices and instrumentalities to strictly implement water conservation measures as part of the efforts to prevent water crisis amid a looming El Nino phenomenon.
WRMO, under the memo, is in charge of monitoring the monthly water bills of every state office with the aim of reducing their consumption by 10 percent.
The bulletin provides that all agencies must have separate water meters and for them to regularly check if the meters are functioning properly.
It also encourages government agencies to use harvested rainwater if possible to clean premises or water plants instead of potable water.
WRMO which was created in April 2023 by virtue of Executive Order 22 issued by President Marcos is mandated to ensure availability and sustainable management of water resources in the country.
WRMO reminded building administrators to monitor leaks and faulty fixtures, especially in toilets, and to be observant of floors and walls that may be constantly wet or covered with molds due to moisture.
The WRMO also recommended the shutdown of main building valves from 7:00 p.m., or after employees have completely left the office, until 6:00 a.m. the next day.
“As a guide, each employee must not consume more than 50 liters of water per day in office buildings (also consider the number of visitors for frontline agencies) and not more than 180 liters per day in households/condominiums and 24/7 offices. Multiply these per capita consumption guides and compare with your total monthly consumption (1,000 liters = 1 cubic meter),” part of the guideline reads.
