Manila Water pouring in P37.3 billion for three-river wastewater masterplan

MANILA, Philippines — East zone concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. is pouring in P37.3 billion for its three-river system wastewater masterplan aimed to protect waterways and upgrade sanitation. 

The masterplan involves massive construction of wastewater treatment facilities and sewer network across the Marikina River, San Juan River, Pasig River, and Laguna Lake systems that comply with regulatory and environmental standards. 

These wastewater projects are designed to collect, convey, and treat wastewater generated within their respective catchment areas. 

To support the Marikina River System, Manila Water is putting up the San Mateo-Rodriguez and Quezon City East sewerage systems. 

With a combined project cost of P10.2 billion, the two sewerage systems will serve around 129,000 residents in portions of Marikina, San Mateo-Rodriguez, Antipolo, and eastern portions of Quezon City by 2046. 

Meanwhile, the company is spending P20 billion for its Mandaluyong West, Quezon City South, and San Juan South Sewerage System, which covers portions of catchments draining towards San Juan River and Pasig River systems.

This project will have a capacity to treat 60 million liters – and is expandable to 120 million liters – of wastewater per day conveyed through a 53-kilometer sewer network. 

The remaining segments of the North and South Pasig Sewerage System will also be constructed to help protect the Pasig River System, with Manila Water investing P2.8 billion for the combined project. 

The sewerage systems will have treatment provisions for households in Pasig and portions of Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Cainta, and Taytay. 

East of Metro Manila, the P1.6-billion Hinulugang Taktak Sewerage System – which will treat 16 million liters of wastewater per day before releasing it into waterways – is already taking shape in Antipolo City. 

Manila Water is also set to deploy new desludging trucks and construct the Pinugay septage treatment plant to ensure continued sanitation services for residents of Baras, Pililla, Tanay, and Jala-jala in Rizal. 

Manila Water said this massive investment in wastewater treatment facilities is anchored on its environmental sustainability efforts, which aim to reduce pollution produced in its operations. 

It also aligns with the Marcos administration’s prioritization of developing climate-resilient infrastructure and, at the same time, aids in the rehabilitation of the environment. 

Aside from upgrading its wastewater treatment services to protect natural waterways, the company is also particularly involved in the reforestation and protection of key watersheds.  

More than 1.2 million trees had been planted by Manila Water through its watershed management program as of 2021.