SM’s second Rainwater Treatment Facility in Luzon to reduce reliance on local water tables
MANILA, Philippines — Almost forty years since SM Supermalls pledged to uphold water stewardship in its properties across the Philippines, the mall operator continues to innovate its sustainability approach to reduce its reliance on freshwater resources.
The installation of its latest Rainwater Treatment Facility (RTF) in SM City Masinag comes as the country prepares for El Niño, which is expected to bring drought and dry spells until 2027.
“As a historically rainfall rich area, SM City Masinag was strategically chosen for SM’s second RTF,” said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance, SM Supermalls. “This facility transforms water runoff into more valuable use, innovating our approach in supporting the community and national water conservation efforts not just during El Niño, but for the future.”
With an impressive capacity to treat up to 200 cubic meters or 200,000 liters of rainwater per day, the facility can provide one-third of the mall’s annual water consumption, equivalent to 23,000 cubic meters, or an estimated 9 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
It uses a multi-stage water treatment process that integrates disinfection, filtration, and reverse osmosis. The process includes stringent monitoring and testing to ensure the water is safe and meets required standards.
Beyond these benefits, the facility advances SM Prime’s 2040 net-zero ambition by lowering indirect emissions from water extraction, pumping, treatment, and distribution, supporting the company’s broader decarbonization strategy.
Proven Technology
The RTF at SM City Masinag builds on the success of the SM City Baguio facility in Benguet, a province that is also rainfall-rich yet water-scarce. The facility has processed more than 65,000 cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to the water consumption of 6,500 households, since it began operations in 2022. It has reduced pressure on local water systems and provided the community with a reliable, sustainable water supply.
“From the 1990s up until today and toward the future, SM Supermalls’ commitment to water conservation has remained firm. Access to water is a fundamental human right. We believe that protecting this resource is a shared responsibility. As such, we must continually champion
responsible water stewardship to ensure it remains accessible to all,” said Silerio.