MANILA, Philippines — Prime Infra, the infrastructure company led by ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon, plans to start the development of an 80-meter dam in Montalban next year in hopes of having its first water delivered by 2021.
In a statement, Prime Infra said it hopes to secure the go signal from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) board next week for the Wawa project which is expected to ensure future water supply security.
“We are excited to present the project for approval of the MWSS board on April 23 and get things going immediately,” Prime Infra president and COO Guillaume Lucci said.
“We hope to break ground by 2020’s dry season so we can deliver first water by 2021. At its full capacity, the project will boost Manila Water’s current available water supply by about 30 percent,” Lucci said.
On Monday, Prime Infra and Manila Water Co. presented to MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco the results of their joint technical study on the Wawa water supply project.
The technical study aimed to sort out the best technical scheme, considering cost, risks, timeline, and maximization of water supply source.
Prime Infra said the study laid down an aggressive plan to ensure water supply security in Manila Water’s service area with over 500 mld (million liters per day) new water source, accelerate water availability by immediately delivering 80 mld by 2021, and provide operational flexibility and reliability to bring water where it is needed most.
“With the leadership and strong commitment of administrator Velasco, the project is expected to be fast-tracked for this needed new water source for Metro Manila and the Rizal province. As it is, the Wawa water supply project is among the priority projects that the administrator presented and committed to President Duterte to address the current water supply deficit and ensure future water supply security,” Prime Infra said.
The project involves the development of a water supply facility at the Wawa catchment area traversing the municipality of Rodriguez and the city of Antipolo, both in the province of Rizal.
With its capacity, the water source is strategically located to serve the expansion areas of Manila Water, the east zone concessionaire of the MWSS.
Razon earlier said the proposed project is not an immediate fix, but rather a medium to long term solution and one of the fastest and most sustainable ways to solve the current water crisis.
At its capacity, the project is seen capable of serving more than 500,000 households in the MWSS franchise area.
Prime Infra last month signed a memorandum of understanding with Manila Water to cooperate in the possible development of the Wawa bulk water supply project.
Water experts have long-cited Wawa as the best potential water supply source for Metro Manila.