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LLDA PROMOTES GREEN SOLUTIONS
FOR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER PROBLEM
Martin Antonio
| November 23, 2011
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Since 2010, the Laguna Lake Development
Authority (LLDA) has been aggressively
promoting the use of “constructed
wetlands” to control the growing problem
on domestic wastewater coming from the
14 million inhabitants living in the
Laguna de Bay Region.
LLDA introduced the concept of natural
wastewater treatment systems through a
partnership with the USAID Environmental
Cooperation-Asia (ECO-Asia) in
collaboration with Chia Nan University
of Taiwan (CNU) and Calamba Water
District as means to solve the growing
wastewater problem in the region at the
least cost but most effective and
efficient way.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are
artificial wetlands designed to
intercept and remove a range of
pollutants from wastewater. The
pollutants retained in CWs are
stabilized through solar energy, gravity
and ecological action of microbes and
macrophytes.
Today, most industries and local
government units (LGUs) in the Laguna de
Bay Region still lack basic wastewater
treatment infrastructure due to lack of
funding and technical knowhow.
Hence, LLDA is now promoting the use of
CWs due to its easy construction, low
maintenance cost, and very low energy
consumption. Aside from its natural
treatment capacity, CWs also offer
multiple uses such as wildlife habitat,
landscape, aesthetic, recreation and
education.
The Municipalities of Angono, Rizal and
Lucban, Quezon as well as the City of
Calamba, Laguna will be among the firsts
in the Laguna de Bay Region to develop a
wastewater treatment facility using
natural systems such as constructed
wetlands to serve community residents
within their respective jurisdiction.
LLDA works with CNU to disseminate
knowledge and best practices on low-cost
natural treatment systems. This is
financed by the World Bank through the
Laguna de Bay Institutional
Strengthening and Community
Participation (LISCOP) Project. On
capacity-building and training, LLDA
works with CNU and BNS-BORDA.
For the succeeding years, LLDA will
expand the partnership and promote the
replication of innovations and good
practices introduced in Calamba, Angono
and Lucban to neighboring towns and
cities in the entire region. Under the
expanded program, LLDA will develop the
guidelines and work with LGUs on model
ordinances on natural treatment systems.
