Water be safe: Lamoiyan operates own wastewater treatment facility

MANILA, Philippines - Water is an essential natural resource that needs to be taken care of. Since manufacturing companies consume the most amounts of this resource and as a result produce a considerable level of wastewater, management should take heed that water must be preserved for the benefit of future generations.

It is a refreshing development, indeed, that Lamoiyan Corp., one of the country’s most recognizable companies whose toothpaste brand Hapee is widely known for giving the multinational brand stiff competition, put up its own wastewater treatment plant to show its commitment to water conservation awareness, especially among other local companies.

“The water treatment plant is our own way of showing that we are serious and committed to caring for the environment, particularly with regard to conserving water that is getting scarce year in and year out,” said Dr. Cecilio Pedro, president of Lamoiyan Corp.

The water treatment plant at the Lamoiyan Corp. complex along the West Service Road in Parañaque City is what the company calls the “se­quencing batch reactor system” with three major chambers.

The first chamber is the “equalization tank” where both domestic and industrial wastewater to be treated is stored. Next is the “batch reactor chamber” where actual treatment happens. There is a “diffuser” at the bottom of each reactor chamber that is connected to a blower that supplies oxygen to the reactor during the biological treatment before the treated water is released.

Last is the “contact tank” where chlorine is then mixed to disinfect the “effluent” or outflow area of the sewage tank before the treated water is finally released to the sewer line.

Before the construction of the wastewater treatment plant, which started in the first quarter of 2007 and became operational in August of the same year, Lamoiyan only had a small-scale wastewater treatment facility.

Though the treatment process was biological in nature, the approach and equipment were totally different. The old facility employs a rotating biological contactor that uses only natural airflow to provide oxygen for the treatment process.

Over the years, as Lamoiyan’s operations grew that saw an increase in production capacity, which also entailed bigger water usage, the old treatment facility became insufficient to treat the wastewater flowing from the manufacturing plant alone.

In addition, Pedro said it was also recommended by the auditor from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to improve their treatment facility. As a result, the company constructed a new one, which was better because it could treat both domestic and industrial wastewater.

The basic water treatment process involved in the new plan includes aeration for biological treatment and also filtration before the disposal of sludge. The treated water is then used for other non-drinking purposes such as for gardening and flushing in comfort rooms for flushing.

“The new facility is a true improvement in our capability to handle wastewater and also our way of abiding with government-mandated regulations. As a responsible corporate citizen, it is our duty to follow. After all, it is not only for our own good but also for the good of the people and the country as well,” Pedro said.

For more information, visit http://www.lamoiyan.com.ph.