DENR finds high level of fecal bacteria in esteros connected to Manila Bay

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) found high levels of fecal coliform, or the bacteria found in fecal waste, in esteros connected to the Manila Bay during an inspection on Friday.

According to a report by Maki Pulido in "24 Oras," the Estero de San Antonio de Abad had the highest level of fecal coliform, which reached 1.3 billion mpn.

The acceptable level is 100 mpn, the report said.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu led the inspection of esteros, and the team sought the outflows that possibly stemmed from several establishments.

Manila Zoo was identified as the culprit behind the high level of fecal coliform.

"Wala rin palang treatment plant ang Manila Zoo. Therefore, ito ang isa kong requirement na they have to, otherwise di sila pwedeng makapagtapon ng waste," Cimatu said.

The Manila Zoo, however, said that their waste is converted into fertilizer.

"Yung kanilang mga dumi ginagawa naming fertilizer nilalagay sa compost pit," said Manila Zoo's director Jas Garcia.

Cimatu also said that Maynilad and Manila Water will be subjected to their inspections as well.

The water concessionaires are tasked with connecting all houses and buildings to the sewerage treatment plant.

But according to the MWSS, only 14 percent of houses, buildings, and business establishments are connected to sewerage.  Most have septic tanks.

MWSS also stated in the past that many septic tanks overflow because they are not cleaned.

DENR has yet to identify which hotels, condominiums, hospitals, and other large establishments dump waste directly in esteros. The agency will have to check each one for treatment facilities.

For now, the blame largely falls on the illegal settlers who live directly along the esteros.

They don't have septic tanks so their wastes are dumped directly in the esteros and rivers.

The DENR is studying the kind of technology that would be able to contain waste and not pollute waterways, the report added. —Jessica Bartolome/ LDF, GMA News