Philippines Expert Strategies: WJ Groundwater Solutions

Philippines WJ Groundwater is part of a unique global presence that WJ has developed in the dewatering industry for over 20 years. WJ’s international experience spans complex infrastructure and mass transit projects, large-scale commercial developments, and energy installations. This expertise has allowed the company to refine dewatering techniques, manage large-scale pumping systems, and ensure timely delivery for clients around the globe. As of 2020, the company had permeant, well established businesses and permeant offices in the UK, Canada, Poland and thoughout the Middle East.

Expansion into the Philippines

In April 2021, WJ Groundwater expanded into the Philippines after being awarded a USD $6 million contract for the dewatering of the Clark–Malolos Railway Station at Clark International Airport, 100 km north of Manila. This contract marked the company’s first major project in the country. Since establishing a permanent office, WJ has grown to over 40 staff, including geotechnical engineers, technicians, and project managers, and has successfully delivered additional dewatering, pumping, and specialist equipment rental projects throughout the Philippines.

The Philippines is undergoing rapid infrastructure development, particularly in transport and power sectors. Metro Manila and Clark are focal points for railway, highway, and airport projects, creating a high demand for specialised dewatering and groundwater management solutions.

Clark-Malolos Railway Station

The principal contractor for this project is a joint venture between Acciona and EE+I, one of the Philippines’ largest contractors. WJ Groundwater’s prior experience working with Acciona on the Dubai Expo 2020 Metro Extension in the UAE was a key factor in securing this project.

The scope of work at Clark–Malolos included:

Deep well dewatering for the 1.6 km long cut, cover, and station box.
Wellpoint dewatering of approximately 100 foundation pits required for the supports of a 5 km viaduct section.
Managing peak flows of over 500 litres per second (l/s) with an installed capacity exceeding 1000 l/s.

Clark–Malolos Station posed complex challenges due to a combination of deep excavations, high groundwater flows, and tight construction schedules. WJ’s expertise in optimising wellpoint and deep well systems ensured the construction could progress safely while maintaining environmental compliance.

These systems ensured that reinforced slabs could be placed efficiently and safely, despite complex site conditions and COVID-19 travel restrictions. WJ’s team in the Philippines consists of over 40 professionals, including geotechnical engineers, technicians, and project managers. The office operates as part of WJ’s broader network, utilising experienced staff from Middle East operations to support rapid deployment for large-scale projects.

Batangas Combined Cycle Power Plant

WJ was called upon to offer groundwater control solutions to the dewatering of a large seawater intake structure for a new power station in Batangas, south of Manila. Working with the contractor, First Balfour, a hybrid sumping/deep well strategy was employed to lower the groundwater over 20 metres in the highly permeable alluvial sands and gravels less than 50 metres from the seashore.

The future

Following these projects, WJ has been awarded additional contracts for infrastructure projects including wastewater management and mass transit schemes in Metro Manila. Since the Clark–Malolos and Batangas projects, WJ has secured additional contracts for mass transit schemes, wastewater infrastructure, and power station dewatering projects. These contracts reinforce the company’s position as a leading provider of dewatering solutions in the Philippines.

The company continues to build a strong local team, leveraging expertise from its global operations to deliver efficient and safe dewatering solutions across the Philippines.