WITH Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua) taking over and ramping up works for the construction of the P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), Davao residents are expected to benefit from a new and sustainable water source by the first quarter of 2023.
The DCBWSP of Davao City Water District (DCWD) is the first of its kind in the country. It is designed to follow the water-energy nexus concept, where renewable energy will be generated through an integrated hydroelectric power plant. With this state-of-the-art landmark project, Davao City will now have access to both surface water from the Tamugan river, and its current ground well sources.
The DCBWSP encountered setbacks during the pandemic, compounded by other internal contributing factors. However, Apo Agua’s timely intervention by taking control over the construction activities was necessary to mitigate the effects of these.
“Despite on-going difficulties in the transition, the project has resumed construction across civil, mechanical, and electrical works in all areas, including road restoration along the Treated Water Pipeline. We have spent the last month completing the takeover of the works from our previous contractor, gaining possession of critical materials and equipment, and mobilizing key construction contractors on site,” said Apo Agua President Anna Lu.
Apo Agua has mobilized multiple seasoned contractors and works are expected to be at full capacity by October 2022. “The project is being fast-tracked by hiring a team of experienced construction management professionals. In addition to this, various contractors with credible track records in bulk water facilities and large-scale complex projects have been engaged in order to implement as many parallel activities as possible, ” Lu said.
(Note: The Intake Weir, Surge Tank, and Desander are part of the Raw Water Facilities)
Testing and commissioning to ensure water quality will be conducted simultaneously with the construction works to further expedite the project’s completion. A thorough test of every piece of equipment is required to ensure their durability and longevity in the provision of safe drinking water throughout its expected operation of about 30 years.
Supply in District II will be significantly augmented by the DCBWSP which will deliver over two-thirds of its production to DCWD reservoirs in the area. Delivery of water to DCWD is expected to start in the first quarter of 2023 at Tugbok, subject to their acceptance, and will progressively ramp up to Cabantian, Mandug, Calinan, Talandang, Indangan, Panacan, and Dumoy, by the second quarter of 2023.
