MWSS projects promote water sustainability
The chief of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said that several projects introduced this year under the agency’s water security program are aimed at promoting water sustainability.
MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said apart from ensuring water sustainability, this water security program protects physical water infrastructure.
“Construction for alternative water sources are vigorously pursued under the administration’s Build Build Build program with greater complementation of the different modes of financing infrastructure projects – locally funded, foreign assisted projects under the public private partnership,” noted Velasco in his speech delivered during the “Asia International Water Week” held recently in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Velasco said the program has also adopted the policy of a 24/7 work schedule for major infrastructure projects to fasttrack implementation.
Better governance, policy and regulation will ensure the availability of rightof-way and streamlining processes in the issuance of permits necessary to implement projects such as the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project, he said. This ensures the safety and reliability of the Angat Dam and Dyke, main source of water for Metro Manila from geological and hydro-meteorological hazards.
Other projects of the MWSS include the Kaliwa Dam Project, an alternative for Angat Dam, which is expected to deliver an additional 600 million liters per day; Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project already 74 percent complete ahead of schedule – with Stages 1 and 2 covering 13 cities and municipalities; and the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project, which seeks to improve the reliability and security of raw water through partial rehabilitation of the transmission system from Ipo to La Mesa Dam.
He also pointed out that while they have achieved a modicum of success in the efficient delivery of potable water to 97 percent of the people in Metro Manila and its environs, the real challenge they face is on the sewerage and wastewater treatment management systems.
Velasco said concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water have adapted the newest technologies and innovations in their water and wastewater management systems.
“Maynilad operates and maintains three world-class treatment plants. It is currently upgrading its La Mesa Treatment Plant 1 and 2 which involves enhancing the facilities’ treatment capacity, retrofitting structures for improved earthquake resiliency, and automating processes for more reliable operations.”
Targeted for completion in 2020, this massive project will enhance the treatment technology used in these facilities to address the problems of increasing turbidity levels in the raw water coming from Angat and Ipo dams. The project also involves upgrading the treatment capacity from only 300 NTU (nethelometric turbidity units) to 2,000 NTU.
He said the Putatan Treatment Plant is currently the largest membrane-based water treatment plant in the Philippines and is also the first of its kind to use largescale microfiltration and reverse osmosis of potable water for the West Zone.