Philippines: ADB, Manila Water to Conduct Study to Restore Pasig River to Full Health

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Manila Water Company Inc. are funding an assessment of the wastewater and sanitation needs along the eastern side of the Pasig River, Manila’s polluted main waterway. ADB is considering providing Manila Water with a private-sector project loan to fund implementation of a wastewater treatment system once the study is completed.

The 27-kilometer-long Pasig River was once used by locals as a source of drinking water and fish, and a place to swim, but in recent decades it has been polluted by the increasing amounts of untreated sewage brought by rapid urbanization and insufficient sanitation systems. Like other major river systems in Metro Manila, the Pasig River is now biologically dead, damaging the health and livelihoods of Manila’s 11 million inhabitants.

Read the full news release.

See also:

• ADB – Pasig River Catchment Sewerage Project
• Country Water Action: Philippines Resuscitating the Pasig River, ADB, April 2009

Source: ADB, 26 Jan 2010

Kenya – UNEP joins Nairobi River clean-up campaign

June 18, 2008: The Nairobi Metropolitan Development ministry has entered into a technical arrangement with Unep to bring rapid results in green initiatives. The two immediate projects on their agenda are cleaning up of the Nairobi River and solid waste management.

Previous attempts to tackle the twin problems suffered from private sector apathy and lack of political will. “I feel this time it will work because of the political commitment which was not previously there,” said Achim Steiner, the Unep executive director.

The new ministry needs up to Sh4 billion to clean-up the 200km stretch covered by the three rivers passing through the capital city.

It also faces the challenge of coming up with innovative ways to manage solid waste which is an eyesore with only one dumping site in Dandora , on the outskirts of the city.

More – Business Daily Africa

Philippines: Reducing Mercury and Heavy Metals Contamination in Meycauayan River System

Mercury and heavy metals toxicity endanger lives and livelihoods along the Meycauayan river system north of Manila. River clean-up has begun, but contamination may have reached groundwater sources. This Pilot and Demonstration Activity (PDA) approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in January 2008 will help develop technologies to reduce the toxicity of the Meycauayan river system.

More info