West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is spending P178 billion from 2023 until 2046 for its wastewater management program which will expand sewer coverage and manage pollution loading into bodies of water. In a statement, the firm said this P178 billion spending plan will go toward the construction of 18 new Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) in different areas within its concession and the installation of around 360 kilometers of new sewer lines that will catch and convey used water from households to STPs. It also includes the upgrade of 17 existing wastewater facilities to meet the revised effluent standards (DAO 2021-19) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among other wastewater-related projects. “Besides improving the distribution of drinking water supply, our investment program also includes the laying of essential infrastructure to collect and treat the wastewater generated by households so we can ensure environmental sustainability,” said Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado. Maynilad is currently constructing new STPs and laying sewer conveyance systems in Valenzuela, Caloocan, Las Piñas, and Tunasan and Cupang in Muntinlupa. Once operational, these new facilities combined will have the capacity to treat 419 million liters of wastewater per day, serving around 1.75 million residents. The company’s long-term plan also includes the construction of a 140-MLD-capacity STP and installation of sewer lines in Manila. Since 2007, Maynilad has already spent Php41.2 billion in capital expenditures for its wastewater management projects alone, enabling it to add 20 STPs to the existing two, as well as expand sanitation service with its construction of new Septage Treatment Plants and purchase of new vacuum trucks for septic tank desludging activities.