Pakil, Laguna – Manila Water (MW) has announced that its new water treatment plant (WTP) in Pakil, Laguna, has commenced limited operations. The announcement came on Monday, confirming the initiation of the project’s ‘process proving’ stage.
According to Philippines News Agency, corporate communications head at MW, the facility is currently treating a limited volume of water and serving customers in the municipality of Jalajala. This development marks the testing phase of Phase I of the East Bay project. Once fully operational, Phase I will enable the WTP to supply approximately 50 million liters of treated water daily to about 390,000 consumers across several towns in Rizal Province, including Jalajala, Pililla, Baras, Cardona, Morong, and Binangonan.
The WTP is designed to draw water from Laguna Lake through two submarine pipes laid across the lake bed. The project’s Phase 2, expected to be operational by 2025, will extend its service to parts of Metro Manila’s East Zone, including areas of Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig.
The advanced phase of the PHP 7.8 billion East Bay WTP project involves constructing a reservoir, a pumping station, and laying approximately 60 kilometers of 1200- and 1400-millimeter diameter pipes. This phase will employ the reverse osmosis process to treat water from Laguna Lake, making it safe for public consumption.
In related news, Manila Water also announced on Monday the suspension of excavation activities in major thoroughfares within the East Zone of its franchise area. This decision aligns with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Memorandum Circular No. 15 Series of 2023. The circular orders a temporary halt to road works, such as road reblocking, pipe laying, and upgrading activities on major roads in Metro Manila to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.
Despite this suspension, Manila Water’s management assured continued support for the implementation of government flagship projects exempted from the MMDA’s moratorium.
