SM Supermalls strengthens water resilience across mall network
As El Niño raises concerns about water supplies, SM Supermalls is expanding efforts to capture, treat and reuse rainwater while improving how its properties manage water demand.
“Resource conservation and risk mitigation have always been at the heart of SM Supermalls,” said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls vice president for corporate compliance. “Since the 1990s, we have broadened our efforts to support national resource management by reducing our reliance on local water sources while helping address water scarcity as well as flooding.”
The initiatives form part of the SM Green Movement, SM Prime’s sustainability program, which covers water stewardship, waste management, energy efficiency and other environmental measures across its properties. SM Prime is the parent company of SM Supermalls.
Strained water supplies
The challenge of water efficiency extends beyond the Philippines.
UN-Water has reported that 3.6 billion people face inadequate access to water for at least one month each year. Prolonged dry conditions associated with El Niño can strain water supplies, while climate change makes rainfall and water availability increasingly unpredictable.
These pressures underscore the importance of SM Supermalls’ water stewardship efforts and, more broadly, systems that conserve available supplies, capture rainwater and make it available for appropriate uses.
Turning rainwater into a resource
At SM City Baguio, a rainwater treatment facility uses disinfection, filtration and reverse osmosis to make collected rainwater available for reuse, with ozone technology from PureO3. The facility can provide about 51,000 cubic meters of water a year, equivalent to roughly one third of the mall’s annual water consumption.
SM Supermalls plans to expand rainwater treatment initiatives in Central Luzon, helping communities build resilience against climate-related risks.
Across its properties, the company also operates 32 rainwater catchment facilities with a combined capacity to hold 87,000 cubic meters of floodwater—about 35 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Located in flood-prone areas, the facilities help manage stormwater while collecting rainwater for treatment and reuse in tenant operations.
Building resilience through reuse
Water stewardship also means managing demand. Efficient fixtures and smart monitoring technologies help track consumption, flag unusual flows and detect leaks early, allowing maintenance teams to respond while maintaining hygiene, functionality and a comfortable customer experience.
Together, rainwater treatment, catchment and data-driven monitoring systems support a practical, circular approach to water management: Collecting water when it is available, treating it for appropriate uses and helping manage excess runoff during heavy rains.
“Our initiatives and innovations are guided by the simple principle that every drop of water counts. We will continue our pledge to help build efficient and circular systems that benefit communities and the entire nation,” Silerio said.
