Coping with the rising cost of water

The drastic increase in water rates by Metro Manila water providers caught many customers by surprise. In hard times like this, any increase no matter how small is like "rubbing salt" to a wound that can’t seem to heal.

On the other hand, a rate increase will force consumers to conserve water which is considered as a very precious commodity.

A very vital resource, water covers more than 70 percent of the earth in the form of oceans, rivers, lakes, wetlands and streams. However, less than three percent of the earth’s total volume of water is classified as fresh and therefore fit for drinking if proven clean and not contaminated. Rivers, streams, wetlands and lakes are important sources of freshwater for drinking, domestic, industrial and agricultural uses.

The Philippines has approximately 380 major river systems and 60 lakes, of which 20 are badly polluted or considered biologically dead. In Metro Manila, the Tullahan, Tenejeros, San Juan and Parañaque Rivers are biologically dead. Pasig River used to belong to this group but efforts to revive it seem to be working.

Metro Manila residents, especially the poor, may continue to complain about the rising cost of water. But this may just be the measure that will force consumers,both rich and poor, to mend their wasteful ways and try to use water judiciously.