Manila Water unit, CDC break ground on 10-MLD Clark wastewater plant

MANILA WATER Co., Inc. subsidiary Clark Water Corp. and state-run Clark Development Corp. (CDC) have broken ground on a 10-million-liter-per-day (MLD) wastewater treatment facility in the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) in Pampanga to expand wastewater treatment capacity as business activity in the estate grows.

The project, which broke ground on July 1, will be developed by Clark Water, the sole provider of water and wastewater services in the CFZ, according to a CDC social media post released late Wednesday.

The facility will be built within the Clark Centralized Wastewater Treatment Facility and will use sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology with biological nutrient removal (BNR) to improve wastewater treatment efficiency and help meet environmental standards.

Manila Water Chief Operating Officer for the Non-East Zone Melvin John M. Tan said the project is expected to provide sufficient sewerage capacity for the CFZ’s existing and future developments.

“We’re not just addressing the current demand for sewer services in the Clark Freeport Zone, but we’re also making sure that future developments in the Clark Freeport Zone will have appropriate sanitation services,” he said.

CDC said the project underwent technical studies and coordination to ensure the treatment system aligns with the freeport’s operational requirements.

CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera underscored the importance of wastewater management in supporting public health and protecting environmental resources.

The 4,400-hectare (ha) CFZ, a former US military base, has been transformed into an economic and tourism hub.

CDC, which manages the estate, has announced a pipeline of mixed-use, residential, and hospitality developments within the freeport.

The CFZ is home to the Clark International Airport Complex, Clark Entertainment and Events Center, and the Clark National Food Terminal. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz