Wastewater Management

Wastewater Management
What is the existing situation?
• In the Philippines, only 10% of wastewater is treated while 58% of the groundwater is contaminated;
• Only 5% of the total population is connected to a sewer network. The vast majority uses flush toilets
connected to septic tanks;
• Since sludge treatment and disposal facilities are rare, domestic wastewater is discharged without treatment;

* UNICEF & WHO Study

• According to the UNIDO study, approximately 2,000 cubic meters of solvent wastes, 22,000 tons of heavy
metals, infectious wastes, biological sludge, lubricants, and intractable wastes, as well as 25 million cubic
meters of acid/alkaline liquid wastes are improperly disposed of annually in Metro Manila alone.
• Data from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Philippines showed that out of the 127 freshwater
bodies being sampled, 47% percent were found to have good water quality. However, 40% of those sampled
were found to have only fair water quality, while 13% showed poor water quality.
• It is estimated that in 2025, water availability will be marginal in most major cities and in 8 of the 19 major
river basins in the country.
• Waterborne diseases remain a severe public health concern in the country.
• About 4,200 people die each year due to contaminated drinking water.

*Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation of UNICEF and WHO
Major Sources of Pollution
 Inadequately treated domestic wastewater or sewage (48%)
 Agricultural wastewater (37%)
 Industrial wastewater (15%)
 Non-point sources such as rain and groundwater run-offs
 from solid waste or garbage deposits which is also known as leachate

*Greenpeace’s Report: The State of Water Sources in the Phils.

Which areas of the country are most affected?
 Regions with unsatisfactory ratings for their water quality criteria include the National Capital Region
(NCR) or Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog Region (Region IV), Central Luzon (Region III), and Central
Visayas (Region VII)
 Ilocos Region (Region I) was found to be one of the highest contributors to nitrate contamination
Philippine Environment Monitor (PEM)
 Some estimates point to household wastewater as contributing as much as 60% of water pollution
 About 80% of water provided to households becomes wastewater

* Philippine Environment Monitor (World Bank 2003)

• Economic losses because of poor sanitation – Php 78 billion annually

• Under the Beach Ecowatch Program of the DENREMB, 75 frequently visited beaches by both local and
foreign tourists are being monitored; only 21 passed the DENR Standards while 51 failed and 3 are under
assessment
• Under the DENR-EMB’s Tapwatch Program, it was determined that the water from 41% of the total
sites/wells tested for potability were found no longer potable.
• In Metro Manila, only 11% of the total population is directly/indirectly connected toa sewerage system, 85%
are served by over 2 million ill-maintained septic tanks and 4% of the population has no toilet.

Septic tanks are prevalent:

Manila: > 85%

Philippines: >70%

General conditions: undersized, many are singlechambered, commonly the bottom is “unlined”, and
regular desludging is not practiced. Most of the time, discharge is directed to drainage canals
In Metro Manila, it was estimated that septic tanks provide only 10% treatment (without desludging)
(ref: Manila Third Sewerage Project Feasibility Study)

• There are three (3) operating septage treatment plants in Metro Manila, with a combined capacity of
around 1,700 cubic meters/day (serving around 440,000 households).

SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• There are seven (7) new septage treatment plants in Sarangani (6) and Davao Del Sur (1). Each
treatment plant serves the municipality where it is located.
• Seven (7) Water Districts are now in different stages of project planning/development for septage
management (Dumaguete, Metro Cebu, Cabanatuan, Baliwag, San Pablo, Davao, Zamboanga)

SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 In Region 3, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), CDC Special Economic Zone, Authority of the Freeport
Area of Bataan (AFAB) and privatelyrun economic zones have installed sewage/wastewater treatment
facilities.
 One (1) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) constructed by a Water District (Baliuag, Bulacan)
 One (1) pilot STP constructed under the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS) Water
Quality Management Area (WQMA)

The Supreme Court Decision mandates the Local Water Utilities Authority (LWUA) in coordination with the
DENR “to provide, install, operate and maintain sewerage and sanitation facilities and the efficient and safe
collection, treatment and disposal of sewage in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga and
Bataan where needed at the earliest possible time”. The LWUA has been given until Sept. 30, 2011 to submit
the plans for the water districts which must be fully implemented by Dec. 31, 2020. Mandates of Local
Government Units (LGUs) and Water Service Providers under the Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275)
• The State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation
and revival of the quality of the country’s fresh, brackish and marine waters. (Sec.2)
• One objective of the Clean Water Act is to formulate a holistic national program of water quality
management that recognizes that water quality management issues cannot be separated from concerns about
water sources and ecological protection, water supply, public health and quality of life. (Sec. 2, c)

Under the National Pollution Control Law (PD 984) which was repealed by the Clean Water Act, discharge of
untreated wastewater to any waterbody is prohibited.
Industrial wastewater is being regulated by EMB through the permitting system and industries are
required/mandated to treat wastewater through the installation of wastewater treatment facility.
National Sewerage and Septage Management Program
The national sewerage and septage management program shall include a priority listing of sewerage, septage
and combined sewerage-septage projects for LGUs based on population density and growth, degradation of
water resources, topography, geology, vegetation, programs/ projects for the rehabilitation of existing facilities
and such other factors that the DENR Secretary may deem relevant to the protection of water quality. (Sec. 7
and Sec. 8)

LGUs Role Under the Clean Water Act

 LGUs shall share the responsibility in the management and improvement of water quality within their
territorial jurisdictions. (Sec. 20)
 Local Government Units are the key players in the Water Quality Management Areas designated by
DENR in accordance with Sec. 5 of the Clean Water Act and its IRR

Roles of the Agencies

DENR – provide specific environmental criteria & data for the prioritization of sanitation, sewerage, septage
management and combination of different systems and projects
MWSS and LWUA - provide the responsibilities of concessionaires and water districts in sewerage, septage
and sanitation management.
DOH - formulate guidelines and standards for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage including
guidelines for the establishment and operation of centralized sewage treatment system.
The League of Municipalities/ Cities/ Provinces - shall contribute specific inputs reflecting the interests of
Local Government Units (LGUs).
LGUs - appropriate the necessary land for the construction of the sewage and/or septage treatment facilities in
accordance with the Local Government Code. It shall also submit to DPWH a priority listing of their projects

LGUs and Septage Management

• Each LGU, through the enactment of an ordinance, shall appropriate the necessary land including the
required rights-of-way/road access to the land for the construction of the sewage and/or septage treatment
facilities in accordance with the Local Government Code. (Sec. 7)
• It may enact ordinances adjusting local property taxes or imposing a service fee system to meet necessary
expenses for the operation and maintenance of sewerage treatment or septage management facility servicing
their area of jurisdiction. (Sec. 7, CWA)

Sewerage and Septage Management

• For LGUs not considered as highly urbanized cities (HUCs), the DPWH in coordination with the DENR, DOH
and other concerned agencies, shall employ septage or combined sewerage-septage management system.
(Sec. 8, CWA)

Water Service Providers and Sewerage/Septage Management

• Within five (5) years following the affectivity of the Clean Water Act (2004), the agency vested to provide
water supply and sewerage facilities and/or concessionaires in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities
(HUCs) as defined in Republic Act No. 7160, in coordination with LGUs, shall be required to connect the
existing sewage line found in all subdivisions, condominiums, commercial centers, hotels, sports and
recreational facilities, hospitals, market places, public buildings, industrial complex
and other similar establishments including households to available sewerage system.
• In the case of HUCs, non-HUCs and LGUs where water districts, water utilities and LGU water works have
already been constituted and operational, the water supply utility provider shall be responsible for the
sewerage facilities and the main lines pursuant to P.D. No. 198 and other relevant laws.
• In areas where there are no existing facilities, the LGUs, water districts or water utilities may adopt septage
management program or other sanitation alternatives (Sec. 8.6, IRR of CWA)

Initiatives on Wastewater Management

Wastewater Treatment Facility of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) located in Mariveles,
Bataan
Septage Management Program in Region 3 In Bataan, a MOA to launch the province-wide Septage
Management Program
The Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System – Water Quality Management Area (MMORS-WQMA)
EMB R3 Wastewater Management Projects
The Pilot Septage Treatment Facility at Meymart Market, Brgy. Zamora, City of Meycauayan, Bulacan
The treatment facility was designed to treat 200 cubic meters of septage per day which is equivalent to 400
serviced households. This is to demonstrate the reduction of pollution loading in terms of Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD) along the Meycauayan river. It was conceptualized to address the 70% pollution load being
contributed by households at the MeycauayanMarilao-Obando River System.
Sasmuan
Sanitary Comfort
Facility located in
Brgy. Sta.
Monica,
Sasmuan,
Pampanga
Inauguration and Turnover Ceremony of the
Sasmuan Sanitary
Comfort Facility
Manila Water Septage Treatment Facilities: San Mateo Septage Treatment Plant
Septage Treatment Plants in Sarangani and Davao Del Sur
Septage Treatment Plants in Sarangani and Davao Del Sur
UP SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT Operated by Manila Water Co. Inc. (MWCI)
BAGUIO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT Oxidation Ditch System. Funded by a grant from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Investments in Sanitation, Sewerage and Wastewater Management

 Aims to provide water supply systems to the 455 waterless municipalities all over the country,
 Led by the National anti-Poverty Commission in cooperation with DOH and the DILG,
 Aims to increase water service for the waterless population by 50%, reduce the number of waterborne
and sanitation-related diseases by 20%, improve access of the poor to sanitation services by at least 10% and
establish sustainable operation of all facilities.

Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SaLin Tubig) Project LISCOP Project

 A 15 – year development undertaking of the LLDA funded by the WB and the Netherlands to improve the
environmental quality of the Laguna Lake and its watershed through a “solution-in-my-backyard approach.
 The project assists LGUs in implementing environmental sub-projects such as material recovery facilities
(MRFs), conversion of dumpsites into landfills, watershed management and wastewater treatment.
• In Sta. Cruz, Laguna; an initiative supported by LISCOP is the construction and operation of a Decentralized
Wastewater System (DEWATS) that treats wastewater from the town’s slaughterhouse prior to discharge into
the river;
• Biogas is also harvested from the treatment facility that is used by the workers in cooking their food and
boiling water.

Philippine Sanitation Alliance (PSA)

• A 4-year program of the USAID which was established in October 2007 and ended in September 2011;
• The project helped promote some of the provisions of RA 9275 by protecting biodiversity and reducing
health risks by promoting the adoption of low-cost sanitation technology, helping package projects and
access to financing as well as the promotion of good hygiene;
• One of its major projects is the Dumaguete Market and Septage Management Program

Dumaguete City - Public Market and Septage Treatment Plant

Dumaguete City - home to the Philippines’ first government-financed septage management system that
became a model for other cities and towns who were motivated to initiate their own systems in their
respective communities.
The septage management facility was able to sustain itself through the user’s fees, as well as paved the way
for the government of Dumaguete City to regulate private desludging service providers.
Facilities developed and planned for the city was a low-cost septage treatment lagoon and Decentralized
Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Dumaguete City- Septage Treatment Plant

Dumaguete’s (STP) was designed to process all of the septage generated by the LGU from both households and
business establishments.
The facility has a total area of 2.0 hectares and employs 6 desludging trucks.
Dumaguete City Public Market
 The city’s public market made use of the Anaerobic Baffle Reactor System, a non-mechanized
treatment process, which is now widely used in India and Indonesia to treat hospital and domestic wastewater.
 This system is composed of a settling tank, an anaerobic baffle reactor, an anaerobic filter and a planted
gravel filter.
The City's treatment facility can process 80 cubic meters of wastewater per day. The plant has a total area of
600 square meters.

WB - Funded Manila Third Sewerage Project

• An estimated 3.3 million residents in the eastern section of Metro Manila benefitted from the project which
has three (3) components: Sewage management, septage management and institutional strengthening ADB
Technical Assistance on Water Supply and Sanitation Projects

ADB Technical Assistance on Water Supply and Sanitation Projects

• One of the projects supported by ADB was the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System New Water
Source Development from January 2004 to April 2008. The project conducted feasibility studies for Wawa River
as a water source, Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct improvement and Laiban Dam Preparatory projects.

LGU Urban Water and Sanitation Project

• The project aimed to reach approximately 40 LGUoperated water systems, which were given technical
assistance and financial support;
• Financial support includes civil works, sanitation infrastructure and hiring of construction consultant
as well as supervision for improved water supply system.
CONSIDERATIONS IN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
• Cost - borrowing capacity of LGU, investor, developer
• Health Impact - reduced health risks associated with wastewater management NGOs Business Sector

CONSIDERATIONS IN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

• Institutional Framework - can the program be implemented and sustained?
• Self-help Potential - can the community provide the necessary support?

Issues/Concerns
 Infrastructure for collecting sewage
 Land acquisition for treatment plant
 Nutrient removal requirements in the future
 Concept of effluent compliance for publicly –owned treatment facilities
 Sustainability of wastewater tariff structure

Observations/Recommendations
 Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) will allow Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities to be finally on
track to attain full coverage of wastewater services;
 Most of the challenges associated with wastewater service expansions are associated with the fact that
urban areas are already built up;

Observations/Recommendations
 Water and environmental institutions need to respond to technical and social issues;
 Public approval and willingness to pay is essential for the sustainability of our water/wastewater
management initiatives;
 Establishment and operations of Water Quality Management Area (WQMA)