Development of process systems engineering framework for water and wastewater planning in the Philippines

Date of Publication

8-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering major in Environmental Engineering and Management

Subject Categories

Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Chemical Engineering

Thesis Advisor

John Frederick Tapia

Defense Panel Chair

Carla Mae J. Pausta

Defense Panel Member

Arnel B. Beltran

Angelo Earvin S. Choi

Abstract (English)

This practicum report documents the co-development and pilot application of a Process Systems Engineering (PSE) framework for urban water and wastewater planning in the Philippines. Conducted within SMEC Philippines’ newly re-established Water Department (est. 2022), the practicum pursued two parallel goals: (i) professional growth through immersion in multidisciplinary consulting, and (ii) delivery of replicable decision-support tools that accelerate SDG 6-aligned infrastructure delivery. The methodology combined hierarchical DEMATEL to map causal drivers and barriers, the Best–Worst Method to derive optimal criteria weights, multi-criteria decision analysis and linear programming for technology selection, and QGIS-based spatial analysis for treatment-plant siting. Results identified climate change and infrastructure adequacy as essential factors in metropolitan supply planning, while net present value, land, and manpower requirements dominated treatment-plant decisions. Optimal sites clustered near urban centers, major roads and river corridors, minimizing conveyance and service-access costs. Tangible organizational gains include macro-enabled cost calculators, rapid-siting GIS templates, and a feasibility-study report shell that collectively trim project lead times by up to 33 %. Sector-wide, the project demonstrates how PSE can bridge fragmented Philippine water governance by enabling data-driven, cross-stakeholder planning tools that embed economic, environmental, and social criteria from inception. The practicum thus advances both academic competency and industry practice, positioning SMEC and its clients as leaders in climate-resilient, sustainable water management.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

None

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Sewage disposal

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Embargo Period

8-15-2025

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