A NEW water filtration system is being pilot tested in Davao City.
Mirasol Domingo, assistant regional director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Davao Region, said three food processors, including Porky Best Food, are using the Vertical Helophyte Filtration System (VHFS).
On the sidelines of the Habi at Kape press conference, Domingo said the DOST allotted P100,000 for the pilot testing of the VHFS.
VHFS is a technology adapted from the Netherlands, where it is used in households.
In Davao Region, after Dutch water engineering and waste management expert Sean Ligvoet introduced the technology to DOST, the government agency is eyeing to first use it in food processing establishments and small businesses.
The facility filters filthy water and cleans it so that it can be reused.
“The cleaned water will not be potable anymore. But you can use for watering the plants and washing the car,” said Domingo.
During the pilot testing that started last year, Domingo said they are collecting samples of clean water quarterly to test its cleanliness. As it is still a very early testing, she said they could not yet conclude anything out of the project.
Aside from the three food processing establishments in the city that are already using VHFS in their facility, Domingo said they are currently finalizing talks with the city government to establish an 10 times bigger version of VHFS in the Davao City slaughterhouse. This project is tagged as Sani Embankment Project.
“This project had been reviewed by the Committee on Environment and it is ready to go. The drafted memorandum of agreement had already been approved so it is ready for signing of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. The mayor is also supportive of this project,” said Domingo, adding that they look forward to the mayor signing the MOA probably by next month.
According to Domingo, from the slaughter area, the waste water will drain down to the holding area of waste water. Here, a helophyte system will be installed to the filter the water before it would flow through the canals.
“I think in the future it is something we can showcase,” said Domingo.