2023 – Reports | SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

Education

The university offers graduate programs in Land and Water Resources Engineering which are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to assess, develop, and design water infrastructure for effective water management. The Master of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (MSABE) and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (PhD-ABE) both offer a major in Land and Water Resources Engineering.

The MSABE develops highly trained human resources who could plan, design, develop, operate, manage, and maintain water resources projects. Furthermore, graduates are equipped to conduct meaningful research, particularly in the field of land and water resources engineering. This program’s curriculum emphasizes the core content necessary for students to excel in their roles and make significant contributions to water resource management.

The Ph-ABE focuses on land and water resources engineering, which is designed to provide graduates with the ability to impart knowledge in resources development and management, and to conduct a sharply focused and detailed academic research. Graduates of this program are expected to provide the leadership in developing new technologies for soil and water resources utilization and conservation applicable to local and global situations. These graduate programs have the undergraduate counterpart which is the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. The PhD-ABE is yet to be offered as the Certificate of Compliance is under evaluation in the Commission on Higher Education.

ISU on Mainstreaming Global Water Research for Sustainable Development

As climate change brings increasing concern on water-related hazards over the years, academic and research groups from the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam have undertaken a flood and sediment project for the Asia-Pacific Region.

The project dubbed as “Integrated Flood and Sediment Management in River Basin for Sustainable Development (FSMART)” has Isabela State University as a member, closely working with the Kyoto University from Japan, and Thuy Loi University in Vietnam.

FSMART looks into the impacts brought by climate change and human interventions on reservoir sedimentation, flood inundation, agricultural practices, and river and coastal regions- specifically in the areas of Vu Gia-Thu Bon and the Cagayan River Basins.

As a commitment, Isabela State University has launched the Smart Water Infrastructure Management (SWIM) Research and Development Center in an effort to consolidate water-related research in the University.

At the same time, SWIM R&D sets up a physical facility that would bridge initiatives on water studies in Northern Luzon and the country at large.

Side by side the research center is ISU’s counterpart project for FSMART- the Integrated Flood and Water Resources Management in ASEAN River Basins for Sustainable Development (IFWARM), which is funded by DOST- PCIEERD.

ISU Research towards Water Research

The university in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology and the office of the Congressman of 6^th District of Isabela has established the Smart Water Infrastructure and Management (SWIM) R&D Center building. The SWIM Building is a testament to the shared commitment of ISU and DOST to develop knowledge, protocols, and technologies towards achieving water security and mitigating damages and risks to agriculture and infrastructure during the occurrence of extreme rainfall and strong typhoons in the region.

One of the key achievements of the SWIM project is the development of a GIS-based Decision Support Tool aimed at managing urban water infrastructure with stormwater interventions for smart cities. This initiative has effectively minimized standing water and localized flooding, decreased stormwater runoff into the combined sewer system, enhanced infiltration and groundwater recharge, and mitigated contamination of hazardous substances in surface and groundwater resources. Additionally, it contributes to the protection and restoration of both natural and artificial waterways while promoting water conservation through improved distribution efficiency.

The SWIM R&D Center has also successfully established localized tools and frameworks necessary for water resource planning, which are essential for future water development and management strategies in the Cagayan Valley provinces. As a result of these frameworks, four Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plans are currently being formulated.

Ongoing Projects

Smart Water Infrastructure and Management Project- DOST Funded
Sediment Evaluation and Development of Intervention (SEDI): S&T-based based approach for sustainable management of reservoirs and river basins (Implemented by ISU and Bulacan State University)- DOST FUnded

Collaborations

Linkage: Kyoto University
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Integrated Flood and Sediment Management at River Basin Scale for Sustainable Development
Linkage: Ifugao Watershed Management Committee (IWMC)
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Research and Development projects on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management in the Magat watershed
Linkage: Office of the Civil Defense Regional Office 02 (OCD)
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Adoption and mainstreaming of Integrated River Basin Management Technologies in Cagayan Valley Region
Linkage: NIA-MARIIS, LGU-Aguinaldo and LGU-Alfonso Lista, Ifugao
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Conduct of vulnerability studies, watershed and reservoir management, and other related endeavors for the benefit of individuals and communities at LGU Aguinaldo
Linkage: PSABE CVRC
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Mainstreaming Engineering and Technology Advancements in Natural Resources Conservation Engineering and Disaster Risk Mitigation
Linkage: Cagayan State University, and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Collaborative solution toward the establishment of water resources management and to uphold a workable disaster planning management to protect our resources.
Linkage: DOST-PCIEERD- Kyoto University Japan. NIA. NWRB, DENR River Basin Control Office
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Integrated Flood and Water Resources Management in Asean Basins for Sustainable Development
Linkage: National Irrigation Administration, NIA MARIIS Cauayan City, LGU Echague
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Irrigation Development and Management
Linkage: BSC, LGU-Basco, Provincial Gov’t of Batanes
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: Implementation of comprehensive water resources management plan in the region.
Linkage: UP-NHRC
- Nature of Partnership: Research and Development
- Scope of Operation with the Industry: water resources development and management, hydrology, hydraulic and coastal engineering, fluid mechanics, and other related fields

Furthermore, ISU is poised to become a National Water Resources University, as House Bill No. 10023 has been filed in the areas of research, instruction, and community engagement related to water resources, marking a major milestone for the university.

Technology transfer to stakeholders

List of technologies generated

Technologies transferred through Extension
Rainfall Run-off-Inundation Model for the Cagayan River Basin
SWAT Hydrological Model for Long Term Projection of Water Supply
Dam Operations and Flood Advisory Improvements tool
Hydrodynamic Model (TELEMAC) for estimation of sediment transport
DEVELOPED IOT-ENABLED FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME WATER LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM (linked to the proposed Flood Gate)