CHAPTER II

TECHNICAL STUDY

Nature of Service

Communal toilet system and septic system proposed to provide proper disposal

of wastes and promote proper personal hygiene and sanitation in the community.

Communal toilet shared by a group of household in a community. In some cases each

household will have an access to one of the toilet blocks; this may be one toilet per

household or one toilet for a group of household. The facility is used primarily for

urination and defecation; sometimes it is use as changing room. Communal toilet is

different to public toilet, because public toilet is open to anybody, in public areas or in

residential areas.

A septic system is a highly efficient, self–contained, underground wastewater

treatment system. Septic system treat and dispose household wastewater onsite, they

are often more economical than centralized sewer system in rural areas. Septic systems

are also simple to design, which makes them generally less expensive to install and

maintain.

Potential Users

The potential user of the proposed project design is the Born Again Badjao

Community in Sito Callejon, Libjo Batangas City and other developing community. This

design can improve their community and quality of living by having a well-designed

communal toilet facility and septic system.

The design of toilet facility may be used as reference in designing public toilet

facilities in public places like residential areas, market and others.

Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
8

The design of the septic system may be used as reference in designing a septic

tank for households and centralized septic systems for a community.

Environmental Impacts and Mitigating Measures

The value of environment is essential for the life of people living on it. Having a

sustainable environment that can sustain lives and can make a community to grow and

develop is substantial. In every project, it will have an impact to our environment, public

health and safety. Many of these impacts are connected with the construction of general

infrastructures such as roads and bridges, and other project critical to the environment.

Possible environmental impacts of the proposed project:

 Groundwater contamination

It occurs when pollutants are released to the ground and make their way

down into groundwater. It can also occur naturally due to the presence of a minor

and unwanted constituent, contaminant or impurity in the groundwater, in which

case it is more likely referred to as contamination rather than pollution. Pollution

can occur from on-site sanitation systems, landfills, effluent from wastewater

treatment plants, leaking sewers, petrol stations or from over application of

fertilizers in agriculture. Pollution (or contamination) can also occur from naturally

occurring contaminants, such as arsenic or fluoride. Using polluted groundwater

causes hazards to public health through poisoning or the spread of disease.

Septic systems are designed to slowly drain away human waste

underground at a slow, harmless rate. An improperly designed, located,

constructed, or maintained septic system can leak bacteria, viruses, household

Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
9

chemicals, and other contaminants into the groundwater causing serious

problems.

 Gas and Odor release

Sewer gas is a complex mixture of toxic and nontoxic gases produced

and collected in sewage systems by the decomposition of organic household or

industrial wastes, typical components of sewage. Sewer gases may include

hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, esters, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide

and nitrogen oxides. Septic tank odor is a common problem that happens to a

septic tank. This problem happens when gases that are supposed to escape

somehow get redirected back into the house. It will affect the quality of a person’s

life if the odor starts seeping into the house. Those gases are hazardous for

human health specifically hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to low levels of this

chemical can irritate the eyes, cause a cough or sore throat, shortness of breath,

and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Prolonged low-level exposure may cause

fatigue, pneumonia, and loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory,

and dizziness.

 Nutrient content of discharge

Septic tanks used anaerobic process on treating household wastewater,

but ineffective in eliminating nitrogen and phosphorus compounds that have the

potential to alter the growth rate of plant in prolific way. Leakages of these

nutrients cause algal bloom which may affect the eco system of the receiving

water body.
Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
10

Possible impacts during the construction of the project:

 Air pollution due to construction

The quality of air is most affected in construction phase with the emission

of particles from machinery and construction equipment. Dust from excavation,

grinding of material and others may cause health hazard when inhaled in

significant amount and can also reduce visibility.

 Noise pollution and vibration

In construction phase some noise pollution can be unavoidable. The

noise involved in construction will be the result of heavy machinery like grinders,

drills, jackhammer and other equipment. These noises can cause disturbance

and miscommunication of workers, and other people near the construction site.

 Construction Waste/ Solid Waste

Construction waste is generated in significant amount during construction

phase of the project. Improper disposal of waste may also lead to skin diseases.

Moreover solid waste may attract vermins, rats and deteriorate the general

aspect of the site and its surroundings.

Mitigating Measures

Mitigating measures is provided to eliminate, reduce and control the following

impacts of the project to the environment and to health and safety of the workers and

people in the community.

Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
11

Before the construction of the proposed project, the plans and design must be

consulted to professional for improvement of the design and to secure the efficiency of

the facility and system.

Workers must use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to ensure their safety in

dust and other particulate matter generated onsite. Spray the earth works with water

depending on the atmospheric conditions and the number of worker present. Maintain

access to site and internal roads in good condition to minimize dust propagation.

Presence of vegetation and green spaces surrounding the construction site is

likely reducing the noise experienced. The workers make sure the equipment is in good

condition to reduce the noise it will generate.

Inorganic waste generated, will be catered away in properly equipped vehicles to

the nearest transfer station for proper disposal on landfills. Waste shall neither be

disposed in any water course or bare land nor be burnt on site.

After the construction, sorting at source will be encouraged to separate the

organic and inorganic solid waste and bins will be placed at various locations to collect

solid waste. Regular checking and maintenance will also eliminate the impact of the

project in the environment and public health.

Health and Safety Requirements

The proposed design of communal toilet facility and septic system must comply

with the following sets of safety and health requirements/ regulations in different aspect

in order to achieve its goals and objectives:

Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
12

 Outfalls discharging effluent from a treatment plant shall be carried to the

channel of the stream or to deep water where the outlet is discharged. (Section

74 Chapter XVII of P.D. 856)

 Storm water shall be discharged to a storm sewer, sanitary sewage shall be

discharged to a sewerage system carrying sanitary sewage only; but this should

not prevent the installation of a combined system. (Section 74 Chapter XVII of

P.D. 856)

 It shall be generally rectangular in shape. When a number of compartments are

used, the first compartment shall have the capacity from one-half to two-thirds of

the total volume of the tank. (Section 75 Chapter XVII of P.D. 856)

 It shall be built of concrete, whether pre-cast or poured in place. Brick, concrete

blocks or adobe may be used. (Section 75 Chapter XVII of P.D. 856)

 It shall not be constructed under any building and within 25 meters from any

source of water supply. (Section 75 Chapter XVII of P.D. 856)

 The septic tank capacity may be determined from the quantities of sewage flow

contained in Table 1 Chapter XVII of P. D. 856.

 The effluent from septic tanks shall be discharged into a sub-surface soil,

absorption field where applicable or shall be treated with some type of a

purification device. The treated effluent may be discharged into a stream or body

of water if it conforms to the quality standards prescribe by the National Water

and Air Pollution Control Commission. (Section 76 Chapter XVII of P.D. 856)

 Septic tanks must have manholes with removable cover slab to provide access to

the compartments of the tank for maintenance.

Proposed Design of Communal Toilet and Septic System in Born Again Badjao Community, Sitio Callejon,
Libjo Batangas City
Chapter II: Technical Study
Advincula DC. E., Babao S. G., Lascano EJ. D.
13

 Bath and toilet. 1.20 square meters with at least dimension of 0.90 meters.

(Section 806 of P.D. 1096)

 Sanitary and industrial plumbing installations inside buildings and premises shall

conform to the provisions of the National Plumbing Code. (Section 903 of P.D.

1096)

 All buildings located in areas where there is no available sanitary sewerage

system shall dispose their sewage “Imhoff” or septic tank and subsurface

absorption filed. (Section 903 of P.D. 1096)

Challenges and Concerns

The following set of goals and objectives are mentioned above to design a

communal toilet and septic system in Born Again Badjao Community. However, there

are numerous potential problems that need to be taken into account and avoided:

1. The construction of communal toilet facility and septic system will require large

cost.

2. If constructed, communal toilets are often clean and hygienic but without proper

maintenance, it will become adulterated and may cause water borne diseases.

3. If not properly illuminated, communal toilets can be dangerous to woman and

children particularly in night time.

4. Septic tank should be check for water tightness, scum and sludge level regularly.

5. Sludge need to be dug out of every 1 to 5 years.

6. Septic system will not be efficient without proper maintenance.

7. Lifespan of the proposed system and how long it will operate efficiently.