The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) discovered four illegal pipes releasing wastewater into Manila Bay.
The Manila Bay has a sewage treatment plant that cleans dirty water from 3 drainage systems in Roxas Boulevard. However, the DENR noticed that the bay’s water quality has not been improving despite its rehabilitation efforts.
The department then asked for the removal of the rocks gathered in the seawall of Baywalk at low tide and made an inspection 10 feet from the natural ground. The four pipes discovered are not found in the map of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the map of the City of Manila local government.
Based on the water analysis conducted, the pipes contain 50 million most probable number (MPN) per milliliter of coliform bacteria. At least 10 establishments are being eyed for the discharge of contaminated water.
The DENR has already cemented 1 pipe and still trying to remove the large rocks covering the others. It aims to seal all 4 illegal pipes before the end of January together with the completion of the secondary canal at the Baywalk that will catch the overflow of water in Manila Bay during typhoons. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
