DOST-7 proposes wastewater treatment facility for Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology-Central Visayas (DOST-7) is proposing a plant-based wastewater treatment technology for Mandaue City as part of a national initiative to promote sustainable wastewater management.

The proposed Phytoremediation Wastewater Treatment Technology uses plants and biological processes to remove or reduce pollutants in wastewater before it can be reused for certain non-drinking purposes.

Mandaue has been identified as the target implementation site in the Visayas, alongside San Fernando City in Luzon and Camiguin in Mindanao.

However, the project remains in the proposal and coordination stage, with several requirements still to be addressed before implementation.

DOST-7 presented the technology during a meeting with Mayor Thadeo Ouano at the City Hall on Thursday, November 5.

The treatment process involves several stages designed to naturally filter wastewater and reduce contaminants.

If the treated water meets the required quality standards, it may be reused for activities such as watering plants, landscaping, and toilet flushing.

Matters that still require coordination with the city government include document submission, selection and monitoring of the proposed project site, implementation arrangements, and the facility’s operation and maintenance.

Ouano, for his part, said the proposal could benefit the city but stressed that officials must first examine its feasibility and possible effects on public safety.

He particularly raised the need to ensure that water processed through the system would be safe for its intended uses.

DOST-7 committed to continuing its monitoring and studies to assess the technology’s effectiveness and identify possible improvements should the project push through.

The DOST-7 delegation was led by Bryan Ybañez, chief science research specialist of its Technical Operations Division, together with Science Research Specialists Imee Kassandra Cacho and Maurice Dan Geroy.

Also present during the discussion were Executive Secretary Atty. Riczen Gingoyon, City Planning and Development Office head Ar. Marlo Ocleasa, and Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office head Ar. Araceli Barlam. — (FREEMAN)