MCWD to build 7 septage plants

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) is building at least seven wastewater treatment plants within its franchise area as part of its Septage Management Project.

The MCWD is one of the five recipients of the grants from the United States Agency International Development, Asian Development Bank, and International Water Association for the purpose.

The other water districts which were also funded by the three funding institutions are: the water districts in Calamba, Cabanatuan, Laguna, and Baliwag.

MCWD general manager Armando Paredes said that septage management plants will be built soon in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu and in the towns of Cordova, Liloan, and Compostela. Each of the seven plants will cost P65 million, says Paredes. Part of the amount will be funded by the USAID, ADB and IWA.

Paredes is asking the local government units within their franchise area to support the project through a local ordinance.

Assistant general manager for technical services Michael Balazo said the respective LGUs, where a septage plant will be built, is already in the process of conducting public hearings.

“The implementation of the infrastructure (septage management plant) is largely dependent on the outcome of the public hearing,” Balazo. 

He added that they cannot go on with the project without the people’s support.

Septage management is the process where wastewater will be collected and will be treated or processed for it to be used again.

 Maynilad Water, which has experience in the operation of septage facilities, will supervise the implementation of the project as well as train MCWD personnel to run the facility.  (FREEMAN)