Manila Water takes over Upper Wawa Dam operations

East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has solidified its commitment to providing uninterrupted 24/7 water supply across its service area with the official takeover of operations of the Upper Wawa Dam.

This marks a key milestone in the company’s long-term water security strategy.

WawaJVCo acquisition

Completed in October, the turnover officially transferred the operations of the Upper Wawa Dam from Prime Infra to Manila Water as part of the successful WawaJVCo acquisition. 

Employees of WawaJVCo were officially welcomed into the Manila Water family, unifying management and streamlining operations of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project.

This strategic move consolidates the project under Manila Water’s control, ensuring greater operational efficiency, sustainability, and reliability for millions of customers in the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) East Zone concession area.

710 MLD capacity to benefit 3.5 million Filipinos

The Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project—the largest water source development since 1967—is expected to deliver up to 710 million liters per day (MLD), serving more than 700,000 households or around 3.5 million Filipinos.

It complements Manila Water’s diversified water source portfolio, which includes the Wawa-Calawis Water Treatment Plant in Antipolo, the Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal, and the East Bay Water Treatment Plant that taps Laguna Lake.

Joe Costales

General manager of WawaJVCo

Largest dam built 

“The Upper Wawa Dam is the largest dam constructed in the Philippines in over five decades,” Joe Costales, newly appointed general manager of WawaJVCo, said in a press release.

 “With its completion, the facility adds another layer of reliability to Metro Manila’s water supply—not just for the East Zone but for the broader region.”

Model for climate resilience

Beyond water supply, the Upper Wawa Dam plays a crucial role in flood mitigation and climate resilience. During Super Typhoon Carina in 2024, it helped reduce downstream flood flow from 2,100 m³/s to 200 m³/s, protecting communities in Rizal and Metro Manila. 

The 450-hectare reservoir, capable of storing up to 120 million cubic meters of water, accumulated over 90 million cubic meters in just two days of heavy rain.

Government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Rizal Governor Nina Ynares, credited the dam for preventing severe flood damage. Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo also cited the dam’s effectiveness during Typhoon Crising, noting that it captured over half of potential floodwaters that would have inundated Marikina City. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma