PrimeWater, in partnership with the Batangas City Water District (BCWD), has launched Batangas City's first Septage Treatment Plant (STP). This initiative aligns with the company's commitment to sustainable water resource management. The newly inaugurated STP is designed to provide efficient and reliable septic tank desludging services, contributing to the protection of water source quality in the areas it serves. The facility is in compliance with the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, also known as RA 9275. This act mandates the implementation of a septage management system to enhance water quality and uphold public health standards in communities.
 

"With our wastewater treatment infrastructure, we can facilitate the proper treatment of wastewater collected from septic tanks before its responsible disposal into our waterways. This commitment highlights our dedication to protecting the quality of our water sources and prioritizing environmental sustainability," says Architect Vergel Angelo Paule, Sanitation and Wastewater Department Head of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.

Once operational, the STP located in Barangay San Jose Sico will treat 80 cubic meters per day (CMD) of wastewater collected from around 45,000 households and businesses. Also, it will enable the consumers to comply with Ordinance No. 14, Section 19 of Sangguniang Panlungsod Series of 2021, which mandates all septic tank owners to desludge every five years and by the requirements of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

A 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that contaminated water and poor sanitation lead to the transmission of diseases such as diarrhea and hepatitis. The septage management program will mitigate potential threats linked to untreated wastewater, thereby safeguarding the environment and ensuring public health standards. Ensuring the proper treatment and safe disposal of septage is also essential in facilitating the distribution of clean water and preventing environmental pollution, as highlighted by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS).

The STP consists of the septage acceptance and dewatering area, filtrate treatment tanks and disinfection area, and other auxiliary buildings such as the blower and genset room, chemical storage area, control room, and hazwaste (hazardous waste) storage room.

"Our septage treatment facility will not only provide consumers with desludging services, relieving them from the challenges of septic overflow but will also contribute significantly to building healthier and more sustainable communities," concludes Paule