Untreated wastewater discharged by Philippine jail

CEBU CITY, Philippines, June 2, 2011 -- Environmental officials in Cebu City in the Philippines have determined that the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center -- or Cebu City Jail -- has been discharging untreated wastewater into the Guadalupe River without a permit.

An investigation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau found that the facility has been discharging illegally for about a year -- ever since it defaulted on money owed to the company that supplies its treatment chemicals.

Samples taken by the DENR confirmed the wastewater was untreated, failing effluent standards for biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids.

In addition to the pollution resulting from the discharges, residents have reportedly been affected by the strong odor from the facility.

The Environmental Management Bureau has summoned city and jail officials to further discuss the charges.

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