MWSS to partner with Korea for water technology

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) is collaborating with South Korea’s third largest city, Daegu, for an advanced water and wastewater technology to ensure efficient water supply in the country.

MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said Daegu City has submitted a proposal for a cooperation project with the government which would cover a government-to-government cooperation for advanced water technology in the Philippines.

It will also cover the improvement of inefficient water purification and sewage treatment plants, improper sewage discharge system improvement, and installation of water purification system.

“This is a welcome development for the Philippine water supply industry, particularly MWSS, following close bilateral relations forged during the recent visit of President Duterte to Korea early this month,” Velasco said.

The project is expected to help MWSS address the problem of wastewater treatment and better water quality system.

Aside from the application of local water and sewage treatment technology, customized new method for energy enhancement of water and wastewater treatment process will be applied.

“The proposal, once approved, will provide for diagnosis and maintenance of pipe network to prevent sewage leakage and inflow of non-point pollution sources. Advanced sewage management and treatment techniques will likewise be employed,” Velasco said.

“Water purification systems which will be installed are expected to resolve water shortage in underdeveloped areas where water supply is not provided. Small-scale water purification systems in accordance with the size of the residents will be established including a water intake network,” he added.

With the government’s Build Build Build program, MWSS is optimistic that the government will approve the proposal to fast track the improvement of the country’s sanitation and sewerage facilities.

“Metro Manila is not yet 100 percent covered by wastewater treatment plants with actual coverage pegged at 14 percent or aggregate 22 percent to include desludging system,” Velasco said.

Both concessionaires, Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. are committed to achieve full coverage by the end of their concession agreements by 2037.

Daegu already has a cooperation project on the water industry sector with China which includes a sewage treatment cooperation.

Daegu’s water industry cluster has a water industry promotion facility with a water convergence research center, a water campus, a global business center, and a water-industrial demonstration complex.