East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has reinforced its commitment to delivering 24/7 water supply across its service area through the official takeover of operations of the Upper Wawa Dam, following the successful acquisition of WawaJVCo.

The turnover, completed in October, marked the formal transition of operations from Prime Infra to Manila Water, with WawaJVCo employees officially welcomed into the Manila Water family. This strategic move consolidates the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project under Manila Water’s management, ensuring greater operational efficiency and long-term water security for its customers.

The acquisition complements Manila Water’s ongoing efforts to diversify and secure alternative water sources, alongside existing facilities such as the Wawa-Calawis Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Antipolo City, Cardona WTP in Rizal, and the East Bay WTP, which both draws water from Laguna Lake.

As the largest water source development since 1967, the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project will deliver up to 710 million liters per day (MLD), benefiting more than 700,000 households or approximately 3.5 million Filipinos within the MWSS concession area. 

“The Upper Wawa Dam is the largest dam built in the Philippines in over 50 years. For decades, Angat Dam has been our primary water source. With the completion of the project, the facility now provides an additional layer of reliability for Metro Manila’s water supply, not just for our East Zone service area, but as an extra source that can support the broader Metro Manila region,” said Joe Costales, newly appointed General Manager of WawaJVCo.

Beyond water security, the Upper Wawa Dam reflects Manila Water’s commitment to climate resilience, protecting not only its facilities but more importantly the communities it serves. Designed primarily as a water supply source, the dam has proven to be a vital flood mitigation measure, repeatedly cited by government agencies as instrumental in reducing flooding in vulnerable areas of Rizal and Marikina by capturing and storing excess rainwater.

In 2024, the Upper Wawa Dam played a critical role in mitigating flooding during Super Typhoon Carina by significantly reducing downstream flood impact in Rizal and Metro Manila by controlling water discharge and lowering flow from 2,100 m³/s to 200 m³/s. The reservoir, which spans 450 hectares and stores up to 120 million cubic meters, nearly filled in two days due to heavy rains, accumulating over 90 million cubic meters of water. Government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Rizal Governor Nina Ynares, credited the dam for preventing severe damage. 

In a press briefing in August this year, Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo credited the Upper Wawa Dam for helping reduce flooding in Marikina City during Typhoon Crising. According to Quimbo, more than 51% of floodwater was captured by the dam’s reservoir instead of flowing into Marikina, significantly minimizing the impact of the tropical cyclone.

Manila Water and WawaJVCo is currently gearing up for the official start of its commercial operations slated in December 2025.