The P749-million rehabilitation of the Angat-Umiray transbasin tunnel in Quezon province is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2018, according to Maynilad Water Services Inc.
In a statement, Maynilad said it was investing in this project P375 million, or half of the project cost, through the the Common Purpose Facility Office of the two concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)—the other one being Manila Water Co. Inc.
The 13.4-kilometer transbasin tunnel that courses through General Nakar town is used to convey raw water from the Umiray River to Angat River.
The tunnel, originally built mainly through a $92-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is an important part of the water supply system of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, serving 90-percent of the population or about 16 million people.
According to Maynilad, rehabilitation works and upgrades that will be implemented include the retrofitting of intake/diversionary structures to withstand the effects of inclement weather such as severe flooding.
The concessionaire said the MWSS common facility would also add new features to the transbasin tunnel for better resiliency, such as additional slope protection, revetment walls, and steel sheet piles along the weir.
“Through sustained investments in water infrastructure enhancements, we can continue to meet the drinking water needs of an ever-growing population,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito S. Fernandez. “We fully support the MWSS in this endeavor.” —RONNEL W. DOMINGO