By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Razon-led Manila Water has officially begun drawing raw water from the Upper Wawa Dam to supply its Calawis Water Treatment Plant, marking a major step in strengthening water security for communities in Rizal and Metro Manila.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 13, Manila Water said the Calawis facility is now receiving around 25 million to 30 million liters of raw water daily during its initial operational phase. The current volume is enough to support about 17,000 service connections, benefiting roughly 100,000 residents in Antipolo City.
Once fully operational, the treatment plant is expected to process up to 80 million liters per day, potentially serving as many as 900,000 customers across Antipolo and nearby towns in Rizal.
The activation of the Upper Wawa Dam forms part of Manila Water’s broader strategy to diversify water sources as Metro Manila continues to depend heavily on the Angat Dam, which supplies over 90 percent of the capital region’s potable water.
The company said the new source is intended to reduce risks during periods of extreme heat and El Niño conditions, when water levels in Angat Dam often fall to critical levels.
Manila Water also noted that the new system will ease pressure on smaller facilities such as the Tayabasan Weir by allowing the Calawis plant to shift its main intake to the Wawa system. The adjustment is expected to improve operational flexibility and reduce the likelihood of service interruptions during peak demand periods.
The Upper Wawa project represents a major portion of Manila Water’s long-term capital investments focused on water security and supply resiliency.
Meanwhile, the company is also monitoring the construction of the Kaysakat Water Treatment Plant, another facility linked to the Wawa system. Scheduled for completion in October 2026, the project is expected to increase total production from the Wawa system to 220 million liters per day.
Joe Costales, general manager of WawaJVCo, described the project as an “inter-generational asset” designed to ensure a stable and safe water supply for future generations in Rizal and nearby areas.
ia/xf
