Two barangays in the Province of Bohol are set to get their own Solar Powered Desalination facility. A simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony was held last September 17, 2023 for the upcoming desalination facility for Cataban island in Talibon, and Hingotanan West in Bien Unido Bohol. The event was graced by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, representatives from the Philippine Rural Development Program and the local government units of barangays Cataban and Hingotanan respectively. The primary objective of this project is to provide a reliable water source and to ensure access to safe and potable water for over 1000 households in both island communities. These desalination facilities to be constructed in Cataban Island and Hingotanan Island, will be setting a transformative impact through the lives of many island's residents - bringing fresh hope and opportunities.

Nxtlvl Water has emerged as one of the leading finalists in the prestigious Philippine Water Challenge Year 2 competition. Their groundbreaking entry, the solar-powered portable water filtration system - Emergency Water Response and Powerbox 2.0, has garnered immense attention for its innovative approach to tackling water scarcity. This ingenious device promises to bring clean, safe drinking water to even the most remote regions of the Philippines, making it a potential game-changer in the fight against waterborne diseases and water-related issues. With Nxtlvl Water's dedication to sustainability and accessibility, they are poised to make a significant impact on the nation's water security.

The Global Water Partnership's recent case study on redefining desalination has brought to light the pressing issue of water supply in the Philippine islands. For generations, island residents have relied on rainwater for their daily needs, but this source is becoming increasingly unreliable due to changing weather patterns. The study advocates for embracing modern water solutions, especially desalination technologies, to tap into the vast and sustainable water source that surrounds the country - the sea. By investing in such technologies, the Philippines can secure a continuous supply of potable water, safeguarding its communities from water scarcity and ensuring a more resilient future.

The plight of island communities in the Philippines regarding potable water security has been a longstanding concern. These resilient communities have faced challenges for generations, traveling great distances to buy water at high costs, even for basic rainwater. Seasonal weather and typhoons add to the unreliability of such sources, leaving them vulnerable during critical times. However, there is hope on the horizon. Initiatives like Nxtlvl Water's solar-powered filtration systems and the Global Water Partnership's advocacy for desalination offer promising solutions to address the pressing water security needs of these communities. By implementing sustainable technologies and raising awareness about water conservation, we can ensure a better quality of life for these islanders and a more sustainable future for all.

Among the 93 applications from 39 countries around the world, only 10 have made it to the final selection for the World Water Challenge 2022. NXTLVL Water' Emergency Water Response (EWR) emerged as one of the promising technologies that highlighted this year's theme “Sustainable Water Management for Human and Nature”. The Korea International Water Week is a global event co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Daegu Metropolitan City, K-water, and Korea Environment Corporation and organized by the Korea Water Forum. KIWW 2022 consists of Water Leaders Roundtable, World Water Partnership, Water Business Forum, and World Water Challenge, as well as a water technology EXPO and other side events.

Desalination is the process of eliminating salt and other pollutants from seawater or brackish water to generate clean, potable water for human use, agriculture, and industrial use. This technology is especially useful in settings with limited freshwater resources, such as islands and coastal areas. Recently, five desalination facilities were inaugurated in the provinces of Bohol and Iloilo. The small-scale solar-powered desalination plants on Cataban Island, Hingotanan Island, Guindacpan Island and Bilangbilangan Island in Bohol are set to serve over 10,000 island residents. Meanwhile, around 230 households will benefit from the desalination project on Danao-danao Island in Iloilo. These desalination projects were all jointly funded by the World Bank (80%), the National Government (10%), and the Local Government Units (10%).

Prior to the introduction of desalination projects, residents had to source water from their neighboring islands or travel 30 minutes or more to buy their water on the mainland. When the expense of travel with a conventional pump boat is taken into account, they would be spending between Php 60 and Php 80 for every gallon jug of water. <p> Even rainwater is being sold for as much as Php100. In order to save costs, others rely on rainwater collection instead, or in an unsafe brackish well for their drinking and domestic use. <p> With the development of these desalination facilities in islands, residents no longer have to travel and spend so much for their water supply. <p> Aside from drinking water, the current desalination projects are also designed to fully utilize even the byproduct of the desalination process. 60% wastewater or brine from the water station will be redirected to a cistern tank which will be utilized for other domestic use for the community, and the rest will be used for salt-making. <p> The facility in Danao-danao Island is selling the water for only Php 5.00 per gallon jug, while the facilities in Bohol are expected to be selling the water between Php 10.00 to Php 20.00. The amount is measly compared to what they are previously paying for the potable water they source from the mainland.