In Metro Manila, less than 3% of the population is connected to a sewerage facility. Around 85% have septic tanks, the majority of which were constructed without
adequate leaching fields and are rarely maintained or desludged. This situation has
led to the pollution of Metro Manila s waterways. It is estimated that around 70% of
the pollution load of Pasig River and Laguna de Bay come from domestic wastewater
discharges.