Engr. Sean Ligtvoet, Project Senior Technical Specialist at DOST XI, showcases a 3D model of the Vertical Helophyte Filter System to the participants of the 2024 Regional Science Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) celebration in Davao region (Photo from Rudy Parel Jr., DOST-STII)
Did you know that the walis tambo, a traditional broom commonly found in Filipino households, can be made from reed plants? Beyond its use in sweeping floors, however, reeds also play an important role in cleaning not just our homes but also the environment—particularly in wastewater treatment.
To promote sustainable urban development, the Department of Science and Technology Region XI showcased local innovations and emerging technologies for green and smart communities on 11 November 2024 at Abreeza Ayala Malls, Davao City.
Among the notable technologies presented was the Vertical Helophyte Filter System (VHFS), a project under DOST XI’s Wastewater Treatment System Upgrading Program (WATSUP). This program aims to introduce low-cost, nature-based wastewater treatment solutions to benefit local MSMEs, public facilities, and small communities.
In his presentation, Engr. Sean Ligtvoet, Senior Technical Specialist at DOST XI, discussed VHFS as a wastewater treatment solution that uses helophytes or reed plants (locally known as tambo or bugang) to naturally purify and remove pollutants from wastewater. By harnessing the plants' natural filtering properties, the system offers an efficient way to treat wastewater.
This secondary treatment system allows wastewater to first pass through an initial treatment stage, typically septic tanks equipped with grease and sediment traps, before being pumped onto a reed bed. The wastewater then flows through a layer of filtering materials, which helps remove most remaining pollutants. Finally, the treated water is discharged into a clear water well, where it can be reused for various purposes, including irrigation.
The system's effectiveness was analyzed by a Department of Environment and Natural Resources-accredited laboratory at the University of Immaculate Conception – Science Resource Center. The results showed significant removal rates for various wastewater parameters, including effective pH neutralization, 99-100% removal of total suspended solids, a 95-99% reduction in fecal coliform and coliform, and 98% removal of biochemical oxygen demand.
From Davao City outward
In partnership with 20 private organizations and 31 adopting partners, 34 VHFS units have been deployed across seven communities and four local government units. With a processing capacity of around 375,000 liters per day, the technology has treated approximately 500 million liters of wastewater in total.
The system has benefited numerous communities, including informal settlers, by providing essential sanitation facilities that promote public health. In addition to domestic use, it also manages wastewater from various sectors, such as restaurants, resorts, hotels, food processing facilities, slaughterhouses, public markets, poultry farms, piggeries, and hospitals.
Ligtvoet noted that the technology has expanded beyond Davao City to include Cotabato City, Oriental Mindoro, and Pampanga. He also mentioned plans to deploy the system in Dinagat Islands in the Caraga Region.
“We are also planning to further nationalize the technology slowly but surely. We will also deploy one system in Pekalongan in Central Java, Indonesia,” he said.
The tech forum is part of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) celebration held in the Davao region, led by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. XI (DOST XI), with the theme “Siyensiya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Kinabukasan.” (By Rudy P. Parel, Jr., DOST-STII)
