Assessment of atmospheric water harvesting potential in Tagaytay City and Dasmarias City, Cavite, Philippines

This study aimed to assess the atmospheric water harvesting potential in two areas in Cavite: Dasmarinas City and Tagaytay City [Philippines]. A device was designed and assembled to collect atmospheric water data from the two locations during dry and wet seasons. The variation in the amount of atmospheric water collected was analyzed. Climatic parameters were also observed and its relationship to the amount of atmospheric water was established. Results showed that the difference between atmospheric water collection in Tagaytay City and Dasmarias City, as well as between the wet and dry seasons, was present but not notably statistically significant. Collection at night, specifically during the time frame of 12:00 am to 6:00 am, produces more atmospheric water than collection during the day where the lowest quantity was obtained during the time frame of 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. During the dry season, more atmospheric water was collected at the onset compared to a wet season where more atmospheric water was collected at the end. Additionally, relative humidity has a moderate and direct correlation to atmospheric water quantity while temperature and wind speed have a very weak and indirect correlation. The predictive model performs well and produces relatively accurate results. Moreover, the collected atmospheric water samples passed the physical drinking-water quality parameters such as turbidity, total dissolved solids, and color ranging from 0.10 to 0.40 NTU, 4 to 12 mg/L, and less than 2 CU, respectively. It also passed the chemical drinking-water quality parameters such as levels of cadmium and lead, and pH ranging from 0 to less than 0.00049 mg/L, 0 to less than 0.0038 mg/L, and 6.5 to 7.5, respectively. However, total coliforms were present in the samples, thus, an adequate treatment and cleaning process must be developed for the atmospheric water harvesting device.