Addressing Water Scarcity in Mountainous Rural Areas

I. INTRODUCTION:
Context of the case:

Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges globally, with its impacts particularly
severe in mountainous rural areas. In the Philippines, where nearly 50% of the population resides in
rural regions, mountainous communities face unique barriers to accessing clean and reliable water
sources (Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA], 2020). These areas, characterized by steep terrains and
scattered settlements, often lack the infrastructure needed to support a stable water supply. Many
communities rely heavily on rainwater harvesting, natural springs, or small streams, which are
frequently unreliable, seasonal, and insufficient to meet daily needs.

The burden of water collection in these areas disproportionately falls on women and children, who
must walk long distances along steep and hazardous paths to fetch water. This daily task consumes
significant time and effort, limiting opportunities for education, employment, and personal
development (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2021). Moreover, limited access to safe water
has severe implications for health and sanitation, leading to an increased prevalence of waterborne
diseases such as diarrhea and cholera in these regions (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022).

Despite government programs like the Philippine Sustainable Water Supply Program, solutions are
often limited by logistical, financial, and technical constraints. Large-scale projects such as pipelines and
boreholes are difficult to implement in rugged terrains and frequently lack the necessary maintenance
and community engagement for long-term success (Department of Public Works and Highways [DPWH],
2020).

Goals of The Analysis:

The primary goal of this analysis is to develop sustainable and practical solutions to address water
scarcity in mountainous rural areas in the Philippines. The study aims to understand and prioritize the
community’s most pressing needs, such as access to potable water, irrigation for agriculture, and
improved sanitation. By aligning these needs with technical and design requirements, the analysis seeks
to ensure that proposed solutions are both relevant and effective in addressing the unique challenges of
these areas, such as their steep terrains, limited resources, and reliance on seasonal water sources.

In addition to identifying immediate solutions, the study also emphasizes innovation to overcome key
challenges, such as balancing affordability with durability and efficiency with simplicity. The
recommendations prioritize community involvement in the implementation and maintenance of the
proposed systems to foster long-term sustainability. Ultimately, this analysis seeks to create a replicable
framework that can be adapted to other rural and remote areas, ensuring a lasting impact on livelihoods
and overall development in the face of water scarcity.
 II. METHODOLOGY:

A. Understanding Community Needs

Surveys and interviews with the local community will be conducted to gather information about their
most pressing water-related problems, such as the lack of potable water, unreliable irrigation, or high
maintenance costs for existing systems. Community participation ensures that solutions align with
actual needs and expectations. According to Doria (2006), understanding perceptions of water quality is
critical in designing effective systems for underserved populations. This phase corresponds to Kano
Analysis, which helps classify needs into essential, performance, and desired features.

B. Turning Needs into Solutions

The needs identified in the first step will be converted into technical requirements, such as the
capacity of water storage tanks, durability of materials, or energy efficiency of water pumps. These
requirements are prioritized to ensure that the solution directly addresses the key issues identified by
the community. This approach aligns with the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) tool, specifically using
the House of Quality framework, which bridges the gap between what the community needs and what
the design can provide (Chan & Wu, 2002).

C. Comparing Possible Solutions

Potential solutions like rainwater harvesting systems, gravity-fed pipelines, and solar-powered water
pumps will be compared using a systematic evaluation process. Criteria such as cost-effectiveness,
feasibility, and ease of maintenance will guide the selection. This step involves the Pugh Matrix, which
allows for a clear comparison of options to identify the most suitable solution (Pugh, 1990).

D. Finding Creative Ways to Overcome Challenges

Challenges like balancing cost with durability or addressing complex terrain issues will require
innovative thinking. For example, using local materials for construction might reduce costs while
increasing community involvement in maintenance. This phase utilizes the TRIZ Method, which focuses
on resolving contradictions by applying inventive principles (Altshuller, 1997).
 III. APPLICATION OF EACH TOOL

A. Kano Analysis:

The provided Kano Model graph illustrates how various attributes addressing water scarcity in
mountainous rural areas align with customer satisfaction and functionality. The Threshold Attributes
(blue line) include fundamental needs such as clean drinking water, reliable water supply, affordable
solutions, and ease of maintenance. These attributes are essential, as their absence causes significant
dissatisfaction, but exceeding these expectations does not greatly enhance satisfaction. For example,
communities expect clean drinking water and a reliable supply; failure to meet these needs would result
in complaints, but their presence is considered standard (Qualtrics, 2024).

The Performance Attributes (orange line) show a direct relationship between functionality and
satisfaction. Attributes like larger water storage, improved water quality, easier accessibility, and
irrigation support contribute to satisfaction in proportion to how well they are fulfilled. For instance,
improved water quality and accessible sources significantly enhance user contentment as they align
closely with functional performance.

Finally, the Excitement Attributes (purple line) represent unexpected features such as renewable
energy integration, community ownership models, and aesthetically designed rainwater harvesting
systems. These attributes exceed user expectations, providing delight when present, though their
absence does not result in dissatisfaction. Incorporating such features promotes innovative solutions
that foster community engagement and long-term sustainability (Appinio, 2024).
B. QFD:

The House of Quality (QFD) matrix translates customer needs (What’s) into technical requirements
(How’s) for addressing water scarcity in mountainous rural areas. It aligns key customer priorities, such
as clean drinking water, reliable water supply, and affordability, with corresponding design features like
water storage capacity, pump efficiency, and material durability. The symbols in the matrix (X, #, and O)
indicate the strength and direction of the relationship between customer needs and design
specifications. An # represents a strongly negative relationship, while an O indicates a positive
alignment, guiding designers in optimizing the system to meet the community’s needs.

The technical importance section at the bottom of the matrix quantifies how critical each design
requirement is in fulfilling the customer needs, helping prioritize development efforts. For example,
water storage capacity is highly prioritized, as indicated by its high technical importance score. The
competitive assessment further compares these design specifications against existing solutions,
ensuring the proposed system is competitive and effective. This approach ensures resources are
directed toward the most impactful solutions, improving the overall design to meet customer
expectations more effectively (Chan & Wu, 2002).
C. Pugh Matrix:

a) Cost-effectiveness:

Rainwater Harvesting is the most affordable solution, scoring 1, while Solar-Powered Pumps,
Desalination Systems, and Wind-Powered Pumps are less cost-effective, each rated -1. Gravity-Fed
Pipelines are neutral, scoring 0.

b) Feasibility:

Rainwater Harvesting is the easiest to implement, earning a 1. Gravity-Fed Pipelines are feasible in
areas with suitable terrain, scoring 0. Both Solar-Powered Pumps and Desalination Systems score -1 due
to complex requirements.

c) Ease of Maintenance:

Rainwater Harvesting and Solar-Powered Pumps require minimal maintenance, scoring 1. Gravity-Fed
Pipelines score -1 because they require periodic repairs, while Desalination Systems score 0 due to the
complexity of maintenance.

d) Sustainability:

Rainwater Harvesting and Solar-Powered Pumps are the most environmentally friendly, each scoring
1. Gravity-Fed Pipelines have a higher environmental footprint, scoring -1, and Desalination Systems are
less sustainable, earning a 0 due to their energy requirements.
 e) Scalability:

Gravity-Fed Pipelines are scalable and adaptable, scoring 1. Rainwater Harvesting can also be scalable
in regions with sufficient rainfall, scoring 1. Solar-Powered Pumps, Desalination Systems, and Wind-
Powered Pumps are more difficult to scale, scoring -1.

f) Reliability:

Rainwater Harvesting and Gravity-Fed Pipelines are highly reliable, earning 1. Solar-Powered Pumps
and Desalination Systems are dependent on external energy sources, scoring -1. Wind-Powered Pumps
and Community Bore Wells are more variable, scoring 0.

1. Conclusion:

From the Pugh Matrix, Rainwater Harvesting and Gravity-Fed Pipelines emerge as the top choices,
scoring highly in multiple categories like cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability. Solar-Powered
Pumps have a solid showing in ease of maintenance and sustainability but fall short on scalability and
cost-effectiveness. Desalination Systems, while reliable, are the least favorable option due to their high
cost and dependency on external power sources. Wind-Powered Pumps and Community Bore Wells
score lower overall, particularly due to their reliance on specific environmental conditions (wind and
groundwater availability). Thus, Rainwater Harvesting and Gravity-Fed Pipelines are the most suitable
solutions for addressing water scarcity in mountainous rural areas, with Solar-Powered Pumps as a
viable alternative in regions where solar energy is abundant.

D. TRIX Method

To apply the TRIZ Method to the issue of water scarcity in mountainous rural areas of the Philippines,
we first need to identify the contradictions in the current system. TRIZ works by resolving conflicts were
improving one aspect of a system causes a negative effect on another. In this case, the main
contradiction is the challenge of transporting water uphill to rural areas (an improvement) while
minimizing energy consumption (a worsening factor). The rugged terrain makes water transport difficult,
and traditional pumping methods use too much energy, which is not always available in remote areas.
Additionally, local communities often lack infrastructure, so it’s crucial to find low-cost, sustainable
solutions.

A. Principles:

Using the TRIZ Contradiction Matrix, we can select appropriate principles to help resolve the
contradiction between efficient water flow (to move water uphill) and energy consumption (due to the
difficulty of pumping water uphill). Some relevant TRIZ principles include:

1) Segmentation: Breaking the water transport system into smaller sections can make the system
more manageable and reduce energy use. For example, instead of using one large pump, we could
create a segmented water system that uses gravity to move water in stages, which reduces the need
for powerful pumps.
2)
3) Transformation of Physical and Chemical States: This principle suggests changing the physical state
of a system to improve its function. For example, we could use solar-powered water pumps or
pneumatic systems to move water without relying on traditional energy sources, making the process
more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

4) Dynamics: This principle involves allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions. A dynamic
water system could adjust to varying water availability or terrain, using solar energy to power
pumps during the day and conserving energy when not needed.

5) Porous Materials: Using porous materials for water storage can help reduce water loss due to
evaporation. For example, using clay storage containers or natural materials that maintain the
water's temperature and reduce evaporation could help conserve water in areas where it’s scarce.

B. Solution:

These principles lead to several potential solutions, such as:

• Gravity-fed Water Systems: Dividing the water transport network into smaller, localized systems that
use gravity to move water, reducing energy needs.

• Solar-powered Pumps: Implementing solar-powered water pumps to minimize the reliance on

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater using porous materials like clay, which
naturally filters and cools the water.

• Pneumatic Systems: Using compressed air or wind to transport water across tough terrain, minimizing
the need for electricity.

By using TRIZ, we can come up with cost-effective, innovative solutions for addressing water scarcity in
the Philippines. The method helps identify ways to resolve contradictions by applying principles that
have worked in similar situations before, allowing us to optimize the use of local resources and
renewable energy sources.
 IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The Kano Analysis helped identify and categorize the community's water needs into three key
groups: basic, performance-based, and additional attributes. Basic or threshold attributes, such as
access to clean drinking water, affordability, and ease of maintenance, were found to be essential for
avoiding dissatisfaction, though exceeding these expectations did not significantly improve satisfaction.
Performance attributes, like better water quality, larger storage capacity, and irrigation support, were
linked directly to user satisfaction as they improve functionality. Additional or excitement attributes,
such as the use of renewable energy and aesthetically designed systems, exceeded expectations and
fostered innovation, creating opportunities for stronger community involvement without being strictly
necessary.

The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) framework enabled the translation of community needs into
technical specifications, ensuring that solutions addressed both practical requirements and local
expectations. The House of Quality matrix aligned priorities such as affordability and reliability with
design features like durable materials and pump efficiency. This process identified water storage
capacity as one of the most critical technical requirements, allowing for resources to be allocated
effectively. By focusing on these key needs, the proposed designs were tailored to be both impactful and
feasible for the unique challenges faced by the community.

The Pugh Matrix offered a structured way to evaluate potential solutions by comparing their
strengths and weaknesses in areas like cost, ease of implementation, maintenance, sustainability,
scalability, and reliability. Rainwater harvesting emerged as the most practical option due to its
affordability, simplicity, and environmental benefits. Gravity-fed pipelines also performed well,
particularly in terrains where they could utilize natural slopes to transport water effectively, making
them reliable and scalable. Solar-powered pumps were highlighted as a viable alternative, especially for
off-grid areas with abundant sunlight, though their scalability and cost-effectiveness were limited.
Desalination systems, despite their reliability, ranked lower due to high costs and energy demands.

Using the TRIZ Method, key challenges in designing water systems for mountainous areas were
addressed by resolving contradictions, such as the need for efficient water transport with minimal
energy use and balancing affordability with durability. Principles like segmentation, transformation, and
adaptability informed innovative solutions, including gravity-fed water systems divided into smaller
sections to reduce energy needs and the use of solar-powered pumps for efficient energy use.
Rainwater harvesting systems incorporating porous materials were also proposed to naturally filter and
store water while reducing evaporation. This creative problem-solving approach ensured solutions were
tailored to overcome the unique challenges of the terrain and resource constraints.

Bringing together insights from all these tools, the study determined that rainwater harvesting
systems and gravity-fed pipelines are the most effective solutions to address water scarcity in
mountainous rural areas. Solar-powered pumps provide a complementary option in regions with
sufficient sunlight. These recommendations balance innovation, practicality, and sustainability, ensuring
they meet both the immediate and long-term needs of the communities.
 V. CONCLUSION:
The process of addressing water scarcity in mountainous rural areas through systematic analysis
provided valuable insights into balancing technical feasibility, community needs, and sustainability.
Tools like Kano Analysis, QFD, Pugh Matrix, and TRIZ offered a structured approach to understanding
priorities, evaluating options, and innovating solutions. These frameworks emphasized the importance
of designing systems that are not only cost-effective and reliable but also adaptable to the unique
challenges posed by rugged terrains and limited resources (Altshuller, 1997; Chan & Wu, 2002).
Engaging the community to identify needs and involving them in the implementation process emerged
as a key factor for long-term success (Doria, 2006; FAO, 2021).

Future work should prioritize piloting and refining the proposed solutions, such as rainwater
harvesting systems and gravity-fed pipelines, in real-world settings to validate their effectiveness and
scalability. Research on integrating advanced technologies, such as IoT-based water management
systems, could further improve efficiency and monitoring, aligning with innovative approaches discussed
by Altshuller (1997). Collaboration with local governments and NGOs is also crucial for securing funding
and technical expertise, as emphasized by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH, 2020)
and Asian Development Bank (2021). Expanding this framework to other rural or geographically
challenging areas will ensure its replicability and broader impact. This process not only addresses
immediate water needs but also strengthens the long-term resilience and development of vulnerable
communities (WHO, 2022; PSA, 2020).

References

• Altshuller, G. (1997). 40 principles: TRIZ keys to technical innovation. Technical Innovation Center.

• Chan, L.-K., & Wu, M.-L. (2002). Quality function deployment: A comprehensive review of its concepts
and methods. Quality Engineering, 15(1), 23–35.

• Doria, M. F. (2006). Bottled water versus tap water: Understanding consumers’ preferences. Journal
of Water and Health, 4(2), 271–276.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2021). Women and water: The invisible connection.
Retrieved from https://www.fao.org

• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). (2020). Philippine sustainable water supply
program. Retrieved from https://www.dpwh.gov.ph

• Asian Development Bank. (2021). Addressing climate impacts in Asia and the Pacific: Challenges and
solutions. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org

• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2020). Population distribution by region and urban/rural
classification. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Waterborne diseases in the Philippines: Challenges and
strategies. Retrieved from https://www.who.int