Biosolids in Maynilad septage to be converted into bio-bricks

MANILA, Philippines — West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. will convert biosolids produced from the septage treatment process into bio-bricks as part of its environment and sustainability efforts.

In a statement, Maynilad said the project targets to produce an initial 372,000 pieces of bio-bricks to be used for the construction of its facilities.

Bio-bricks are lightweight, cement-like materials that can be safely used as substitutes for ordinary hollow blocks.

Maynilad said the initial bio-bricks will be produced from an eco hub inside the company’s Camana water reclamation facility in Caloocan.

The bio-bricks would be used for building perimeter fences for Maynilad’s water and wastewater treatment plants, as well as non-load bearing structures for its various offices and facilities.

The water concessionaire has partnered with GA Nexuz Inc., a forerunner in using sustainable and green technologies in its products and services, to carry out the project.

Maynilad explained that biosolids are organic materials resulting from the treatment of septage collected from household septic tanks.

Maynilad said it typically hauls out around 23,000 cubic meters of biosolids annually for conversion to fertilizer or soil conditioner.

“With the project, the company has established another means for biosolids to be used in a beneficial way, thus supporting its move towards a circular economy where all resources are reused and maximized,” Maynilad quality, sustainability and resiliency division head Roel Espiritu said.

Aside from contributing to the reduction of carbon footprint, Espiritu said the project also improves operational efficiency and helps manage costs for the hauling and disposal.

“Ultimately, this proves that the sustainability measures we apply to our operations can translate to actual business gains,” he added.

Maynilad has been actively implementing environmental and sustainability initiatives in line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2037.

Among these are the construction of solar farms to run facilities at La Mesa compound, gradual shift from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, construction of new water facilities that convert wastewater to potable water and regular reforestation activities in vital watersheds.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

It is the concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite.