World Bank spearheads Manila Water wastewater training

MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Manila Water recently partnered with the World Bank (WB) on wastewater education in a bid to further improve the company’s knowledge on wastewater treatment and related issues.

International wastewater expert Dr. Konrad Buchauer, the main speaker of the training dubbed “A Learning Session on Wastewater Best Practices” for Manila Water employees, discussed proven and innovative technologies, planning, design and operational considerations toward improved efficiencies.

Buchauer is an Austrian expert with 27 years of experience on wastewater projects and operations. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, an MSc in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Sanitary Engineering.

According to Manila Water design engineer Mickey Hobayan, the WB wastewater training is beneficial for project planning, bid documents preparation, and plant operation.

”The workshop is an avenue for realizing our strengths in planning and operation as well as our areas for improvement for future endeavors,” Hobayan added.

Sudipto Sarkar, team leader for the WB’s Community of Practice on Wastewater, on the other hand, commended the initiatives of Manila Water and how he was impressed by the numerous projects and programs undertaken by the company to innovate and be efficient in its delivery of services.

“We are very interested to learn about the innovative success stories of Manila Water that could serve as leading examples in the region and other parts of the world,” Sarkar said.

Manila Water is the East Zone concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System that provides water and wastewater services to more than 6.2 million residents of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province.