University of the Philippines, Los Baños
Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water
RESEARCH AREAS
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
The continuous degradation of water bodies is both ecological and governance issue. The rapid urbanization, over-exploitation of forest resources and inappropriate land use are effects of poor planning and weak watershed management. Though there are various projects, initiatives and programs related to watershed management, it seems that watershed management efforts remain inadequate.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Watershed Management >
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
The center seeks to widen its watershed management researches coverage to:
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soil and water conservation;
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rehabilitation, preservation, conservation;
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monitoring/evaluation of available water supply in terms of quantity and quality from critical watersheds;
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availability of water storage capacity.
WATER-RELATED DISASTERS
The global concern on climate change has brought in a new challenge to secure water for the country. Water is the medium through which climate change unfolds its impacts on human and nature. The country gripped in water crisis could set back its robust growth if left unresolved.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Water-related Disasters >
WATER-RELATED DISASTERS
The center would like to look into water-related disasters which is categorized into:
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water as a cause of disaster (flood occurrence, landslide);
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lack of water as a cause of disaster (drought, salt water intrusion and subsidence due to over abstraction);
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water as a resource before, during and after a disaster (management of water during disasters) towards nation’s resiliency
WATER SECURITY IN AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is one of the most impacted from water security challenges while remaining as the most consumptive user.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Water Security in Agriculture >
WATER SECURITY IN AGRICULTURE
The center seeks to address water security in agriculture particularly:
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assessment of surface water potentials for irrigation particularly for small-scale irrigation systems which leads to zoning of potential irrigable areas by gravity systems (NIS, CIS SWIP) and by pumps (STWs)
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research, development, assessment and extension of current water saving technologies for efficient water use and management in agriculture
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smarter technologies/approaches to water efficiency use and management in agriculture
URBAN AND RURAL WATER
Water in urban and rural areas are two pressing issues in obtaining water security since increasing population would mean additional demand on water for drinking, sanitation, food and energy production.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Urban and Rural Water >
URBAN AND RURAL WATER
The center will look into the:
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"optimal" allocation of water (under limiting conditions) for multiple uses
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conservation and utilization practices
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prototyping of low impact development in urban settings (incorporate green design)
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water transfer issues and solutions for water security in urban and rural areas
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Clean water and sanitation is an important research area that needs to be focused on. Access to clean water and sanitation is highlighted in SDG 6.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Clean Water and Sanitation >
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
The center will research further on:
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treatment of wastewater such as STPs, wetlands and sanitation technologies and best-practices;
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Sources of clean water and bodies of water used for disposal of wastewater (water body characterization); Clean water sanitation practices and health impacts
WATER-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES
There are numerous existing water-saving and treatment technologies available in the country but the problem lies on the cost-effectiveness, geographical suitability and social acceptability of the said technologies.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Water-related Technologies >
WATER-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES
The Center recognizes the importance of technological deployment and would like to research into the development and assessment of the use of emerging and state-of-the-art water-related technologies relevant to:
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artificial recharge into aquifers
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treatment of wastewater
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efficient use of water are included in the center’s research and development priorities
WATER GOVERNANCE
The existing regulatory set-up in the Philippines is complex and ultimately susceptible to conflicts of interests and possible overlapping of responsibilities that hinders effective water resources planning and management.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Water Governance >
WATER GOVERNANCE
The water center seeks to assess some of water governance issues such as:
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trans-boundary and water transfer issues
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water supply delivery (comparative advantage studies)
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various institutional arrangements in irrigation water management
GENDER, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY
Women, Indigenous Peoples, children and indigent communities are the most vulnerable to water-related challenges due to their limited access to safe water supply, basic sanitation practices situated in water-related disaster-prone areas.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Gender, Culture, and Community >
GENDER, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY
The center would like to look into:
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Gender water risk assessment (household water uses; knowledge of conservation by gender)
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IPRA, IPs and vulnerable communities and their customary practices and narratives
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Knowledge, Attitude, Practices (KAP) and best-practices on water use, sanitation etc.
WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT
While multiple agencies on water and overlaps in responsibilities, data on the country’s water carries the same burden of fragmentation. Data from different agencies becomes insufficient due to duplicity which causes confusion. Some data are considered obsolete and may not be used for planning and programming.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Water Resources Assessment and Database Management >
WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT
The center seeks to conduct
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aquifer characterization (river/stream--flood hydrograph)
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real-time monitoring of water quality and quantity for surface and groundwater
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monitoring, centralizing data collection and analysis of database
ECONOMIC VALUATION AND PRICING OF WATER RESOURCES
This should be developed to guide pricing schemes for domestic, commercial, residential, and agriculture sectors to properly and holistically manage watersheds and river basins.
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Hover to view Water Center's aims on Economic Valuation and Pricing of Water Resources >
ECONOMIC VALUATION AND PRICING OF WATER RESOURCES
It is included in the priorities of the water center to assess/conduct:
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water pricing and pricing strategies for various water uses
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economic analysis of water-related technologies and practices
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valuation of virtual water (long term)