Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System


The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, formerly known as the National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority, is the government agency that is in charge of water privatization in Metro Manila in the Philippines. It split the water concession into an east and a west concession with Manila Water being awarded one contract and Maynilad Water Services being awarded the other.

History

The first water system in the Philippines was initiated by the Spanish Philanthropist, Francisco Carriedo y Peredo. Carriedo donated funds to be used in Manila; however, it was never realized until a century later, when the Spanish Franciscan friar Felix Huerta, tracked down the funds donated by Carriedo, and instigated the development of the Carriedo Water System. The construction of the water system delivered 16 million liters of water per day to 300,000 people. By 1909, the capacity of the system was increased to 92 million liters per day by the addition of pumping facilities and the construction of Wawa Dam.
With its expansion of responsibilities, the institution changed its name several times from the Carriedo Water System, to the Manila Water Supply System in 1908, to the Metropolitan Water District in 1919, to the National Waterworks and Sewerage System Authority, and finally, to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in 1971.

Former Directors