Q.1. What is the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project?
The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) is a project of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) in partnership with Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua). It will tap Tamugan River as surface water source and utilize 100% renewable energy-run water treatment facility to supply safe and sustainable bulk water supply for Davao City, ensuring a more resilient and self-sufficient system.
Q.2. What are the differences in the roles of DCWD and Apo Agua?
Apo Agua and DCWD are partners in undertaking the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD. Part A of the Project, which Apo Agua is undertaking, involves the construction of Raw Water Intake facilities, Hydroelectric Power Plant, Water Treatment Plant and Treated Water Pipeline. Meanwhile, Part B of the Project, which the DCWD is undertaking, involves the construction of facilities for various off-take points, primary transmission and distribution pipe mains and storage facilities, and the distribution of treated water to residential, governmental, commercial, industrial, and water end-users.
Q.3. Why do we need the project?
The Davao City Water District (DCWD) has been using groundwater for almost 50 years. There is an urgent need to look for an alternative water source in order to limit the extraction of groundwater and allow the aquifers to rest. Moreover, the water demand in Davao City is rapidly increasing due to population growth and urbanization.
Once complete, the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) will provide sustainable surface water of the Tamugan River, which will augment the water supply of DCWD, and will allow them to use their groundwater wells conjunctively.
Q.4. What are the unique features of the Project?
Apo Agua is committed to developing a sustainable bulk water supply for Davao City. A first in the country, the project’s Water Treatment Plant facilities will be powered by renewable energy sourced from its own Run-of-river Hydroelectric Power Plant. The Water Treatment Plant’s unique feature, the first of its kind in the country, is called the water-energy nexus concept- Water for energy, energy for water, wherein the same water used to generate power is treated and supplied to DCWD’s water reservoirs.
The Project also relies on gravity to deliver the water to DCWD, meaning we will not be reliant on the electric power grid to treat and deliver our water.
Q.5. What is the service coverage of the Part A of the Davao Bulk Water Supply Project?
The treated water produced by Apo Agua will be distributed to the eight (8) off-take points or water reservoirs of Davao City Water District (DCWD) in Tugbok, Calinan, Talandang, Dumoy, Panacan, Cabantian, Mandug and Indangan.
