SM expands water conservation efforts

MANILA, Philippines — SM Supermalls recently launched its second rainwater treatment facility (RTF) in Luzon at SM City Masinag in Antipolo, Rizal, expanding its water conservation efforts amid the threat of prolonged dry spells associated with El Niño.

The facility can treat up to 200 cubic meters, or 200,000 liters, of rainwater daily, converting collected rainwater into potable water for the mall’s operations and tenant use. It is expected to supply about a third of the mall’s annual water requirements.

Liza Silerio, vice president for corporate compliance at SM Supermalls, said the facility would help the company maximize rainwater use.

“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,” Silerio said.

She added that SM Supermalls has pursued water conservation initiatives since the late 1990s, including dual-piping systems that collect and recycle wastewater for sanitation, cooling tower operations, ground sweeping and irrigation. These systems help reduce freshwater consumption across its properties.

The Masinag facility uses a multi-stage treatment process involving filtration, disinfection and reverse osmosis. The treated water undergoes monitoring and testing to ensure it meets the required standards.

The facility is projected to process about 23,137 cubic meters of rainwater annually. This is equivalent to roughly nine Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the company.

Silerio explained that the facility’s location was determined by scientific assessments of rainfall patterns and the water needs of the surrounding community.

“In every place, we study the needs of a rainwater harvesting facility. It’s based on science and rainfall density,” Silerio told The STAR during the launch.

SM Supermalls said Masinag was selected partly because of the area’s historically high rainfall, making it suitable for rainwater harvesting.

The Masinag facility follows SM City Baguio’s RTF, which began operations in 2022. The company said the Baguio facility has processed more than 65,000 cubic meters of rainwater since its launch.

The new facility also supports SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 by helping reduce indirect emissions associated with water extraction, treatment and distribution.