Upper Wawa Dam 93% done; may ease water supply worries amid El Niño —firm

The second phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project, or Upper Wawa Dam, has achieved significant progress of over 90% completion rate.

In a statement on Friday, Enrique Razon’s Prime Infrastructure-led WawaJVCo. Inc. said the project was already 93% complete as of February 28.

This, as the construction of the 85-meter roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam is expected to be finished ahead of schedule.

The Upper Wawa Dam project "is the largest privately led water supply infrastructure project in the country's history," said WawaJVCo.

The company said the dam would have a capacity of at least 710 million liters per day (MLD), which would provide a steady source of raw water and reduce dependence on the aging Angat-Iba System.

WawaJVCo added that the Upper Wawa Dam could also ease concerns on climate change-related challenges such as a prolonged dry spell that the El Niño phenomenon is expected to bring.

“With its substantial capacity and innovative design, the dam holds immense potential to enhance water security and resilience, which will be a massive step in avoiding a water crisis in Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” the company said.

The Greater Metro Manila Area, including the province of Rizal and parts of Cavite, is being serviced by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) through two concessionaires — Maynilad for the west zone and Manila Water for the east.

WawaJVCo said it has an active 30-year agreement to deliver 518 MLD from Upper Wawa Dam’s 710 MLD to Manila Water, leaving 192 MLD of excess supply.

The company added that the benefits of Upper Wawa Dam could be maximized through collaboration and efficient use of its 710 MLD capacity.

“The Upper Wawa Dam will help address water security and ensure sustainable water supply to benefit over 700,000 households or about 3.5 million Filipinos within the service area of MWSS,” it said.

Commercial operation is expected to start by late 2025.

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. —KBK, GMA Integrated News