Social Acceptability Assessment for Nature-Based Solution for Wastewater Treatment

The challenge in treating wastewater has continuously been occurring, aggravated by rapid urbanisation, unsustainable human activities and practices, and population growth. Majority of wastewater globally is yet to be treated, and millions of people still have limited access to safe and clean facilities, resulting in individuals practising unsafe and unsustainable human practices such as open defecation. In the Philippines, the environment is experiencing adverse effects evident in the hydrological and ecological changes in the river systems due to the previous economic conditions coupled with rapid industrialisation. A nature-based solution (NbS) for wastewater treatment, such as constructed wetland (CW), can be an alternative for cities and municipalities in the Philippines. The case of the wastewater facility in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, is the best example of NbS-CW operating for almost 17 years. With the aim of replication and successful implementation of NbS projects, social acceptability assessment is a crucial support tool to study social acceptance, benefits, barriers, and opportunities as perceived by the stakeholders for implementing NbS projects. Social preparation such as training, seminars, consultations, and local government commitment and partnership are also greatly needed to successfully implement, replicate, and adopt NbS technologies and projects in the Philippines.