In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders to ensure public health and safety and as part of the inter-government agency committee monitoring compliance to the Philippine Clean Water Act, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System has stepped up its comprehensive action plan to improve the sewerage systems in Mega Manila.
This was announced by MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco who added that MWSS and its concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, are working non-stop to improve the waste water treatment and sewerage services in their areas of coverage.
The two concessionaires have already submitted their business plans for 2018-2022 that included capital expenditures for sewerage and wastewater treatment facilities.
In Metro Manila, the MWSS is among the 15 agencies identified in the Clean Water Act responsible for the provision of sewerage and sanitation facilities, and for the efficient and safe collection, treatment and disposal of sewage”•a mandate provided for in the MWSS charter as well.
A 2008 writ of continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court names the water agency among those ordered to “clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay and restore and maintain its water to SB level fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of contact recreation.”
Maynilad president and CEO Ramon Fernandez said that Maynilad operates 20 wastewater treatment plants that process waste water and sludge collected from customers. Over the next five years, the company will be building four new STPs. It has also adopted the Combined Sewerage System concept, involving the use of existing drainages to catch waste water.
He added that Maynilad has allotted about 30 percent of this year’s capital investment budget for waste water management programs to create a bigger impact in the global effort to protect the environment.
“The construction of these new wastewater facilities is part of our effort to conform with the Supreme Court ruling in helping improve the quality of water,” he said. “It is our fervent hope that other stakeholders will also do their part so we can gain noteworthy ground in this endeavor.”
Meanwhile, Manila Water’s plan includes the protection of customers’ health and environment by providing adequate sewer and sanitation services and ensuring that treated used water discharged to river systems is of such quality that supports marine life. Manila Water has also put in place the Three River Master Plan which aims to achieve 100 percent sewer coverage by year 2037 through a combination of sewer-drainage and separate sewer systems, covering all catchments that discharge to the three river systems within the east concession”•Marikina, Pasig and San Juan Rivers. Manila Water has a water treatment capacity of 310 MLD. It operates sewage treatment plants and two septage treatment facilities.
“Given all of our programs, we make sure that wastewater is well taken care of within the communities,” said Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz. “Protection of the environment is a responsibility we share with everyone and we encourage the public to do his share in being environmental stewards to create a bigger impact.”
According to the MWSS administrator, the partnership with the water companies has not only made potable water accessible to residents of Metro Manila and its environs, it has also fast-tracked the improvement of sanitation services in coverage areas. “We need to reduce the quantity and pollution load of wastewater that we produce to help protect the environment and our water resources,” Velasco said.
Prior to the MWSS privatization instituted by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997, less than 8 percent had sewer coverage in the Greater Manila area. There was minimal treatment at 2 percent and no septage treatment plant. Only some areas in Manila and Makati had sewerage facilities with most establishments using their own communal septic tanks.
Today, MWSS and its concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad have water treatment programs that benefit their customers, Velasco said.
Wastewater treatment is necessary to make the water safe for discharge back to the environment. It is a means of protecting the environment, he said.