The Laguna Lake Drinking Water Treatment Plant, which will convert water from Laguna Lake into potable water for the people, won the Water Project of the Year prize from the Global Water Awards. (Photo from RTVM)
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine water treatment plant has won an international award for its innovation in lessening environmental footprints.
The Poblacion Water Treatment Plant, also known as the Laguna Lake Drinking Water Treatment Plant, won the Water Project of the Year award from Global Water Intelligence, a publisher in the international water industry.
Global Water Intelligence has offices in the United Kingdom, United States and China.
It gives recognition to entities that have made significant achievements or initiatives in the water industry.
The facility in Muntinlupa City was the only winner from the Philippines.
The awarding ceremony was held at the 2024 Global Water Summit in London on April 15.
READ: Maynilad spending P2.7B to replace leaky Manila pipes
The water treatment plant cleans the water from Laguna Lake amid shifting conditions such as algal bloom, a spike in ammonia levels, and seawater intrusion.
This place yields clean water that can be used for drinking.
READ: Maynilad building four new reservoirs to boost supply
The initiative was started in 2021, inaugurated in December 2023, and is expected to be operational by the first half of 2024.
It is managed by West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, which enlisted a consortium composed of Spanish firm Acciona and DMCI Holdings Inc. for its design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
Listed below are the awardees in many categories:
Water Company of the Year
Winner: Suez
Distinction: Gradient
Desalination Company of the Year
Winner: Acciona
Distinction: Saline Water Conversion Corporation
Water Technology Company of the Year
Winner: Grundfos
Distinction: Siemens
Breakthrough Technology Company of the Year
Winner: Aqua Membranes
Distinction: Purecontrol
Public Water Agency of the Year
Winner: Saudi Water Partnership Company, Saudi Arabia
Distinction: New York City Department of Environmental Protection, USA
Desalination Plant of the Year
Winner: Jubail 3A IWP, Saudi Arabia
Distinction: Jurong Island Desalination Plant, Singapore
Water Project of the Year
Winner: Poblacion WTP, Philippines
Distinction: San Fernando Groundwater Treatment Program, USA
Wastewater Project of the Year
Winner: Changi WRP Expansion, Singapore
Distinction: Umm Al Hayman WWTP, Kuwait
Industrial Project of the Year
Winner: Slaughterhouse wastewater treatment, Saudi Arabia
Distinction: NMDC ZLD plant, India
Smart Water Project of the Year
Winner: Dubai Hydro Insight, UAE
Distinction: Lahaina emergency sewer assessments, USA
Water Reuse Project of the Year
Winner: ADSWS Recycling Transformation, UAE
Distinction: Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project, USA
Net Zero Carbon Champion
Winner: Xylem
Distinction: Scottish Water
Water Stewardship Program of the Year
Winner: Intel water conservation and restoration
Distinction: Danone Aguascalientes program, Mexico
SDG 6 Champion of the Year
Winner: Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná – Sanepar
Distinction: None
2024 Water Technology Idol
Winner: SCFI
Distinction: Danfoss