Upper Wawa Dam to start ops by end-2025

The second phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project, or Upper Wawa Dam, is on track to start commercial operations by the end of 2025.

In a statement on Wednesday, Enrique Razon's Prime Infra-led WawaJVCo Inc. said the project's overall progress rate is now over 70% as of December 2023.

The 85-meter roller-compacted concrete dam is expected to be finished in a few months, followed by the completion of the rest of the plant.

WawaJVCo said the project "is the largest privately led water supply infrastructure project in the country's history."

The company said that the dam, once in operation by the end of 2025, will have a year-long water supply capacity of over 700 million liters per day (MLD), benefiting the residents of the greater Metro Manila area, including the province of Rizal.

Apart from providing a reliable water supply source, the Upper Wawa Dam will also help mitigate the perennial problem of flooding in the downstream areas and localities of the Marikina River, it said.

"The exceptional construction pace at Upper Wawa Dam showcases Prime Infra's commitment to delivering on our commitments in developing water supply infrastructure at this scale. We are pleased that the project continues to be materially ahead of schedule. We take great pride in ensuring that we sustain this pace and do so safely by 2025," said Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci.

"The Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project aims to secure sufficient capacity to meet the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its concessionaires' water needs. Phase 1 became operational in record time in October 2022," said Lucci.

Phase 1 of the Wawa water supply project commenced commercial operations on Oct. 25, 2022.

The Tayabasan Weir, or the project's first phase, has been delivering the initial 80 MLD since it began operations.

WawaJVCo said the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project in Rizal is one of the national government's infrastructure flagship projects that will address water security, specifically in the MWSS service area.

The company said the entire project is the largest water supply dam to be constructed in over 50 years when Angat Dam was built. — VDV, GMA Integrated News