Council passes ordinance on desludging of septage

CEBU, Philippines - With the passage of the septage management program, all buildings including residential structures in Cebu City are required to desludge their septage wastes.

The creation of the environmental law stemmed from the failure of the public and private establishments and households to remove wastes in their septic tanks, reportedly causing ground water contamination.

The measure authored by Councilors Nida Cabrera and Sisinio Andales was approved in last Wednesday’s regular session.

The legislation mandates all buildings and structures, whether public or private, residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial, to desludge septage except buildings with onsite wastewater and septage treatment facility certified by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health.

Structure owners are required to get septic permits at Cebu City Hall, the amount of which will be determined by the City Septage Management Board. Owners of septic tanks constructed prior to the passage of the ordinance will be given two to three years to comply.

As to areas with small houses made of light materials, the barangay concerned may construct a communal excreta disposal system or other affordable alternative sanitation technologies adaptable to the local needs as approved by DOH.

Desludging of septic tanks takes place every three years or when the tank is half full of sludge. For the households, the owners are required to desludge every five years.

The city will impose a disposal fee to accredited desludgers and the amount will be computed per cubic meter of sludge treated or disposed at the city-owned treatment facility at the North Reclamation Area.

CCENRO, the implementing arm of the ordinance, will also coordinate with shipping companies and operators as to the disposal of generated domestic sewage.

Any desludgers and entity found guilty of violating this ordinance shall be punished by a fine of P1,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; and P5,000, cancellation of accreditation, and imprisonment of not more than six months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third offense.

Cabrera, committee on environment chairperson, said the legislation ensures proper wastewater treatment that will protect the environment and the residents by “controlling, managing and regulating the storage, collection, transport, treatment and disposal of septage or sludge from various sources.” — (FREEMAN)