Septage and Sewerage Updates

Update 03-21-11: An eco-tank is now installed in Barangay Poro.

We are happy to report that there is lots of new news to share concerning progress on the Sewerage and Septage Program here in San Fernando!

First of all, the eco-tanks have finally arrived in Manila and will soon be transported to San Fernando! The three Eco-Tank units were kindly donated by CityNet and the Rotary Club of San Fernando. As previously mentioned the EcoTanks will be utilized in Barangays Catbagnan, Poro and San Francisco. The EcoTank is an anaerobic treatment tank combined with an anaerobic filter that will produce an effluent of 50 mg/l BOD and TSS, which will meet the Class C requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource and greatly improve the surface water quality in these areas.

While bids for the new Septage Treatment Facility (STF) are still being reviewed by the Technical Working Group for the Sewerage and Septage Program, progress is ongoing and we can expect the contract to be awarded before Christmas, with construction beginning soon after that!

Finally, in preparation for the forthcoming implementation of these new Sanitation initiatives, the first instalment of the Barangay Health Worker Training Program is set to begin on October 21st, with a Training of Trainers Session to take place at The ABC Barangay Hall. The purpose of this Session will be to train Sanitary Inspectors, Midwives, and Barangay Health Workers about septage management fundamentals and the City’s promotion plan for sanitation. Various role-playing techniques will be used to prepare the trainees for a variety of scenarios that they may encounter while delivering promotions and disseminating information throughout the Barangays. It is expected that this initial training session will also prepare the trainees to train BHWs throughout the city who will also deliver septage management information to their Barangays.