MANILA Water Co., Inc. has installed filter technology in its Balara Treatment Plant 2 (BTP 2) to reduce its chemical consumption and optimize operations, the listed water provider said on Wednesday.
The activated filter media (AFM) is a highly processed product in the form of particles with enhanced filtration features, lessening the need for additional infrastructure. These are usually composed of recycled green and amber glass. The current filtration media used at BTP 2 are composed of silica sand.
The AFM requires less backwash water and can remove iron and manganese.
“Iron and manganese cause reddish-brown and brownish-black stains that build up in pipelines and water tanks, restricting water flow and reducing water pressure. With the AFM installed, this reduces the chlorine requirement for oxidation of the said chemicals,” Manila Water Operations Group Director Arnold Jether Mortera said.
He added that with the promising results, the company’s operations team plans to scale up by applying AFM on all of BTP 2’s filter beds to improve the facility’s service.
Manila Water reported that installations for four filter beds are also ongoing. BTP 2 currently has 20 filter beds in operation.
BTP 2 is Manila Water’s primary treatment facility that serves more than 60% of the greater Metro Manila’s east zone.
Manila Water’s service coverage includes Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, parts of Quezon City and Manila, and Rizal province.
On Wednesday, Manila Water shares rose by 0.61% or 10 centavos to close at P16.50 at the stock market. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson