Philippines adopts water-from-air technology ahead of El Niño
The social welfare department says the technology could help supply drinking water to communities facing extreme heat and reduced rainfall.
The Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) says it has adopted technology to extract drinking water from the air for communities affected by extreme heat, amid warnings of a potentially record-breaking El Niño.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on October 4, 2026, the department’s spokesperson said the approach could help areas likely to face reduced rainfall during drought and dry spells. The spokesperson described it as one of the technologies DSWD is adopting to supply communities with drinking water.
The process draws moisture or water vapour out of the surrounding air, then converts it into water suitable for drinking.
Weather bureau PAGASA warned that October could bring reduced rainfall and that El Niño might continue until March, or possibly June. About 40 provinces are expected to see rainfall decline during drought and dry spells. The bureau said that number could reach 80 in January.
