Wastewater firms 'face fines' in the Philippines

Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services are to have charges brought against them by the Philippines' department of environment and natural resources (DENR), it has been claimed.

The two firms' failure to practice recommended environmental measures has led to them damaging the environment, according to the Business Mirror.

Environment secretary Lito Atienza has raised concerns that the two companies have not implemented efficient wastewater treatment methods and recommended to the DENR that legal action should be taken.

Speaking about residential wastewater, he said: "They have been charging water consumers for 11 years but they have failed to come up with sewer lines that will lead to a wastewater treatment facility."

Both organisations have been issued with orders to clean up their operations by the country's Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Brazil's system of treating wastewater has been praised for its consideration of the environment of late.