Here's how to ensure we have clean water for tomorrow

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Here's how to ensure we have clean water for tomorrow

SM Prime Holdings

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The rapid pace of urbanization, weather changes, coupled with population growth, significantly increases the demand for freshwater resources.

This heightened demand puts immense pressure on existing water supplies, which are already vulnerable due to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable consumption patterns. As more people migrate to cities, the strain on water infrastructure intensifies, making equitable distribution and quality control more difficult to achieve.

United Nations (UN)-Water highlights that effective water management plays a vital role not only in ensuring the availability of clean water for communities but also in preserving ecosystems. Sustainable

water management practices involve protecting natural water sources, improving water efficiency, and investing in infrastructure that enhances water storage, treatment, and distribution.

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Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between governments, private sectors, and communities to implement policies that prioritize water conservation, equitable access, and the long-term sustainability of freshwater resources. Without comprehensive water management strategies, the growing demand for clean water will further exacerbate existing inequalities and pose significant threats to both human well-being and the environment.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a leading integrated property developer in Southeast Asia, has prioritized water conservation and management since the early 1990s—long before water stress and its link to climate change became widely recognized.

Through Water for Tomorrow, SM Prime's water stewardship campaign, the company actively integrates climate resilience into its developments, ensuring responsible resource management while supporting the well-being of the communities it serves.

Sustainable water management

Water conservation measures and efficient management systems are embedded in SM Prime's building operations. The company invests heavily in sustainable water management technologies to reduce freshwater use and the demand for municipal water supply. It has identified practical water usage and innovations to address the growing concern of water security.

In 2023, SM Prime's reported total water consumption amounted to 7.2 million cubic meters, with 61% of that consumed water being recycled.

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On average, more than 1 billion gallons of recycled water is used for mall operations. SM Supermalls uses recycled water for cleaning and sanitation, caring for its plants and landscaping, and cooling its air conditioning towers. Efficient plumbing and innovative water-saving technologies with low-flow fixtures also regulate the mall's water consumption.

Headquarters to some of the largest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) brand names, the Three E-com Center at the Mall of Asia Complex efficiently operates its sewage treatment plant to collect, treat, and remove contaminants from wastewater, making it safe to discharge to the surrounding environment. Photo source: SM Prime Holdings 

These practices have been scaled throughout the group. The SM Offices' E-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex have sewage treatment plants that recycle greywater. Aside from rainwater harvesting systems that help maintain its urban gardens, SM Development Corporation (SMDC)'s Sea and Shore Residences donate its discharged treated water to the greening of the Estates in the MOA Complex.

Pico Sands Hotel has reduced water consumption by advocating towel and linen reuse, inviting guests to join its sustainability journey and conserve water. Photo source: SM Prime Holdings 

As part of its water conservation program in Pico Sands Hotel, SM Hotels and Convention Corporation reduced its freshwater consumption by 36%, reaching 52% water reuse and 41% for Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. Together with Hamilo Coast, SM Prime's luxury and leisure estates in Nasugbu, Batangas, its water desalination plant has made significant impacts on water management and sustainable eco-tourism since 2010, ensuring that it services all developments that call Hamilo home. 

Hamilo Coast's desalination plant provides sustainable water to its community, serving residences, hotels, staff housing, and offices since 2010. Photo source: SM Prime Holdings 

Protecting water resources

SM Prime supports this year's UN-Water World Water Day 2025 on March 22, which focuses on the theme "Glacier Preservation."

Halfway around the globe, glaciers play a critical role in the global water cycle. Glacial ice is the largest reservoir of fresh water, holding about 69% of the world's fresh water. With rapid glacial melting, altered rainfall patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels, the planet risks a water crisis that affects the most vulnerable.

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SM City Baguio's rainwater treatment facility (RTF) utilizes a rigorous six-step treatment process with real-time monitoring to ensure processed water meets potability requirements, and its service to the community was recognized at the 2024 Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards. Photo source: SM Prime Holdings 

Recognizing these challenges and the need for a reliable water supply, SM Prime continues to integrate water-efficient systems in its property developments. This helps create public awareness and encourages responsible water use among mall goers, tenants, employees, and communities. In 2023, SM Supermalls' SM City Baguio rainwater treatment facility (RTF) was launched to help reduce dependence on freshwater sources. It has treated 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable water and continues to operate and serve its host community.

SM Development Corporation (SMDC)'s Sea and Shore Residences donate their treated wastewater to green the landscape of the Estates in Mall of Asia Complex. Photo source: SM Prime Holdings 

SM Prime's Water for Tomorrow program plays a key role in SM Prime's sustainability strategy, along with Net Zero by 2040 and a Waste-Free Future.

"As businesses face growing water challenges, we must take action to secure our Water for Tomorrow," said Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman.

"Water stewardship is an investment in our future. We must move beyond conservation and prioritize resource protection, waste reduction and water security for future generations," Sy added.

Through the Water for Tomorrow campaign, SM Prime reaffirms its commitment to creating a more sustainable future. By integrating water stewardship into its sustainability agenda, SM Prime aims to

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inspire collective action and drive meaningful impact in protecting one of the planet's most vital resources.

To know more about SM Prime Holdings visit their website.

NOTE:  BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.

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