Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua), a water subsidiary of Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), now supplies the Davao City Water District (DCWD) with safe, reliable, and sustainable water.
The operational launch of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) – the largest in the country at 300 million liters per day (MLD) with a 70-kilometer pipeline – addresses the water needs of over one million Davao City residents. The facility augments the city’s reliance on groundwater sources, allowing the aquifers to rest and replenish while accommodating increasing water demand.
In a joint statement with Apo Agua, the DCWD announced supplying the water last December to its Calinan, Tugbok, Riverside, Dumoy, Cabantian and Panacan water supply systems. Both the DCWD and the local government unit of Davao said the water quality meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, the benchmark for water safety in the country.
“We are proud to mark this milestone of our Apo Agua team in partnership with the Davao City Water District to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable water to the people of Davao. For Aboitiz InfraCapital, this achievement also underscores our commitment to advancing crucial infrastructure, building thriving ecosystems and enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve while being responsible stewards of the environment,” said AIC president and CEO Cosette Canilao.
Apo Agua’s water treatment plant is powered by renewable energy sourced from its own run-of-river hydroelectric power plant. It was designed with the water-energy nexus concept — a first in Southeast Asia — wherein the water used to generate power is treated and supplied to DCWD’s water supply systems, creating an environmentally conscious and efficient water supply cycle.
The facility operates a Department of Health-accredited laboratory for water quality analysis that ensure high-quality potable water consistently delivered to DCWD for distribution to its customers.
“We are honored to be serving the people and thriving community of Davao City. With our partner, DCWD, we are ensuring that each drop causes a ripple, not only in sustaining the immediate needs of Davaoeños but also in fueling the long-term growth of the region,” said Apo Agua president and AIC Head of Water Business, Eduardo Aboitiz.
The local government unit and the DCWD started the bulk water supply project to meet the exponential growth and water demands of the city.
The project led by Apo Agua involves the construction of raw water facilities, a water treatment plant, and treated water pipelines. The distribution of water to consumers is managed by DCWD. The water is sourced from eight off-take points that include Talandang, Calinan, Tugbok, Panacan, Cabantian, Panorama, Mandug, and Indangan.
Apo Agua is also taking steps to ensure the protection and conservation of Davao City’s newest water source. It has rehabilitated a fifty-hectare site within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed area. The initiative help mitigate the impact of climate change and enhance the watershed’s ability to serve as catchment basin and, in the process, increase river flow.
