Manila Water celebrates fourth aqueduct milestone
16 August 2021At a ceremony on August 14, Manila Water celebrated an excavation milestone on the US$108m NBAQ4 project, one of the Philippines' largest water-supply infrastructure schemes.
The TBM boring the 3.1m-diameter Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 (NBAQ4) project broke through at the La Mesa Reservoir having mined 7.3km since its launch at the Balara entry shaft in Quezon City, reported The Manila Times.
Workers and invited guests witnessed the TBM hole through the soft concrete of the exit shaft. The machine will now be dismantled in the shaft to allow for the construction of the intake and outlet towers. Completion of the project is expected in summer 2022.
NBAQ4 comprises the construction of a fourth aqueduct from La Mesa Reservoir to the Balara Water Treatment Plant and aims to improve the reliability and security of the Philippine capital’s raw water conveyance system. The new aqueduct will complement the existing three built in 1929, 1956 and 1968.
Engineering consultancy Arup has provided project management and detailed design review services for NBAQ4, working alongside the Novabala joint venture comprising design and build contractor CMC di Ravenna, First Balfour and Chun Wo Engineering.
