THE Cebu City government is testing its new septic treatment plant (STP) before it starts operations in July.
Randy Navarro, head of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), said they started processing septic waste using the plant last Wednesday and will continue to do so in the next few days.
“We’ll start small for now. Maybe six to nine trucks a day. We’re still trying out the new facility,” Navarro said. Navarro said they’ll initially collect the waste for free.
They are still waiting on the City Council to pass a Septage Ordinance that will list the tipping fees to be determined by private septic haulers. The Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) is expecting the ordinance to be passed next month.
The STP was donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Amcon Inc.
The plant was installed near the office of the Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (Ceset) at the North Reclamation Area.
Navarro said private septic haulers shouldn’t dump their collected wastes on the city’s rivers and waterways.
The plant separates the liquid and the sludge of septic wastes.
The sludge will be converted into a sludge cake used for composting while the liquid will be treated before it is disposed.
Amcon Inc. will operate the facility for the next two years while the Cebu City government oversees its operation. It will be turned over to the city government afterwards.