Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) on Tuesday said it is set to launch Phase 1 operations of its East Bay Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in December. In an interview on Tuesday, Kim Monis, MWCI corporate communications manager, said that if all goes according to schedule, the PHP7.8-billion plant located in Pakil, Laguna can start supplying running water to the towns of Jalajala, Pililla, Baras, Cardona, Morong, and Binangonan in Rizal province under its Phase 1 program. The plant will draw water from Laguna Lake to supply an estimated 390,000 individuals in Rizal, she added. 'Right now, there is no reason to think that we won't be able to make the December deadline for Phase 1 of the East Bay project,' Monis said. The MW spokesperson explained that when Phase 2 of the project becomes operational in 2025, it will supply running water to Metro Manila's East Zone, including parts of Pasig, Pateros and Taguig. Phase 2 of the East Bay project also includes the construction of a reservoir, pumping station, and pipe-laying of 60 kilometers of 1200- and 1400-millimeter diameter pipes. The East Bay WTP will treat water from the Laguna Lake using reverse osmosis process, making it suitable for public consumption. Meanwhile, MWCI reported that as of the second quarter of 2023, it has laid and maintained 5,418.90 kilometers of water pipelines all over the East Zone, within its service areas in Metro Manila and in the Rizal. From 5,362.73 kilometers in September last year, the water firm has laid an additional 55.17 kilometers of pipes, particularly in several municipalities in Rizal to reach unserved consumers, MWCI said in a statement.

Source: Philippines News Agency