Metropolis gets new water source

The first phase of the P26-billion Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project has commenced its commercial run, bringing a vital new water source to populous Metro Manila, proponent WawaJVCo Inc. said.

WawaJVCo, a joint venture between Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and Violago-led San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc., said phase one of the project would initially deliver 80 million liters per day (MLD) of raw water to utility concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc.

The facility comprises three parts: the weir where water is impounded, the pumping station that brings water to the treatment plant and the buried water pipeline.

WawaJVCo announced on Thursday that it had launched the commercial run of this project on Oct. 25.

“Prime Infra fulfilled its promise to the government to deliver on time a vital water infrastructure, which will help ensure the reliability of raw water supply to customers of Manila Water at a cost-effective manner,” said Prime Infra chair Enrique Razon Jr.

“This milestone demonstrates Prime Infra’s strong track record in delivering critical infrastructure projects in challenging situations,” added Razon.

Phase 2 coming

Meanwhile, the construction of Wawa Water project phase two is on track, with WawaJVCo saying the river diversion milestone had been achieved this week.

The river diversion is seen to minimize construction execution risk, allowing WawaJVCo to start building the main dam body by December this year, work through the wet season and complete the project on schedule.

The company is targeting to complete phase 2, dubbed the Upper Wawa Dam, by 2025. Construction began in the middle of the pandemic.

Once completed, it will be able to supply at least 518 MLD of raw water to Manila Water, benefiting more than 500,000 households in the East Zone concession area.

Flagship

Manila Water holds a franchise to provide water and waste water services to the eastern side of Metro Manila and parts of Rizal.

“The development of the bulk water project would not have been achieved without the full support of our stakeholders. We will continue to build on this momentum as we progress in the construction of phase 2 with the vision of creating shared value for both the offtaker and the host communities,” Prime Infra CEO Guillaume Lucci said.

The Wawa project is among the government’s flagship infrastructure projects intended to increase water supply in Metro Manila and adjacent areas. INQ