The City Government of San Fernando headed by Mayor Pablo C. Ortega with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Mr. Valmar M. Valdez, CENRO Officer opened the Waste Water Treatment Facility which recycles dirty water coming from the wet market on October 16, 2007 here.
The treatment facility’s primary purpose is to prevent the contamination or the pollution of bodies of water like rivers and lakes in compliance to the Clean Water Act of 2004 which provides that all public markets, slaughterhouses and buildings should have a treatment facility.
According to Mayor Ortega, this is a pioneer project of the city in coordination with USAID Washington D.C., who graced the event by visit of Mr. Tony Kolb and Ms. Liza Lumbao, members of the evaluating team from the Urban Development Program.
“This is one of the many projects of the city for the environment. The treated water can be reused for cleaning the wet market and toilets, thus, conserving our water supply,” Mayor Ortega added.
There are stages in treating the polluted water: filtration, e-coli consumption of the bacteria, exposure to air and chlorination.
Dr. Eduardo Posadas, City Health Officer I explained that the 300-cubic-meter treated water will still undergo testing before it is released back to the market for reuse.
Mrs. Carmencita Puzon, President of the Wet Market Vendors Association also stated that the project is of great help to them since they are the major users of water in the wet market.
With this, the City Government fully supports the project together with Congressman Victor F. Ortega of the 1st District of La Union, former City Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega and City Councilors. |
