Baguio sewage plant beyond work capacity

BAGUIO CITY -- The 30-year old sewerage treatment plant of the city here in North Sanitary Camp is operating beyond its normal capacity considering that the city’s liquid waste generation has increased.

The treatment plant was built in 1986 and was designed to accommodate 8,600 cubic meters of city’s liquid wastes and rehabilitation of the same will ensure that treated water which flows in the Balili River is clean.

While the city is preparing the site for a decentralized wastewater treatment facility in Lower Rock Quarry, engineer Moises Lozano of the City Environment and Parks Management Office disclosed that in order to sustain the operation of the STP, their office conducts frequent de-sludging of the collection tank pending delivery and installation of the sludge dewatering machine.

During the department head’s meeting Monday, the City Buildings and Architecture Office was tasked to prepare its program of work considering the STP’s deteriorating condition for its expedite implementation for its rehabilitation.

Under Republic Act 9275 also known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, the city may be penalized at P200,000 per day if found out to be violating the implementing rules and regulation of the said act.

The city government is looking for possible disconnection of the City Veterinary Office’s abattoir from the STP and to have its own treatment facility. 

The treatment plant is apparently used to filter and decontaminate the wastewater of the river of Baguio before flowing into La Trinidad's Balili River. -- JhoArranz