Manila Water has successfully completed significant operational enhancements at the Olandes Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Marikina City, repurposing its unutilized capacity for Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) treatment. This initiative underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and compliance with updated effluent standards.
The P129.31-million BNR operational adjustment project, completed in November 2024, focused on optimizing the Olandes STP in removing ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates—substances that can contribute to ecological degradation when discharged untreated. By improving the BNR process, Manila Water is taking substantial steps to minimize the environmental impact of effluent discharge into nearby bodies of water.
Key enhancements implemented as part of the operational modification include replacing the existing Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) process with a more advanced Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) configuration. This upgrade involved several critical components such as structural modification and repair of tanks, construction of a chemical house for the chemical dosing system, installation of submersible pumps and mixers for improved distribution of treatment chemicals, and installation of a control panel and instrumentation for better monitoring and management of treatment processes.
With a current capacity of 10,360 MLD and a daily average inflow of 5,000 MLD, the Olandes STP serves over 40,000 residents across Barangays Cinco Hermanos, Industrial Valley, Sitio Olandes, Blue Ridge, and Libis in Marikina and Quezon City.
“The completion of the Olandes STP enhancements marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect the environment and ensure compliance with stringent effluent standards. By adopting advanced nutrient removal technology, we are not only improving the quality of wastewater treatment but also safeguarding the health of our waterways and communities,” Manila Water Communication Affairs Group Director Jeric Sevilla said.
Additionally, the retrofitting of the Olandes STP to modify existing BNR processes ensures compliance with the strict regulatory standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Class C wastewater, which can sustain marine life. This directive aims to ensure adherence to BNR process standards in wastewater treatment facilities which will redound to cleaner and safer waterways.
