SM Supermalls Proves Water Sustainability is the Ultimate Power Up

The future of tech and gaming relies on one major resource we often take for granted: water. While we are busy looking at the latest GPUs and console refreshes, SM Supermalls has been playing the long game in environmental tech. For three decades, SM Prime Holdings Inc. has been leveling up its water stewardship across the Philippines, proving that being a massive mall operator comes with a major responsibility to the planet.

From the 90s to Now: The STP Evolution

This journey actually started back in the late 90s. While many of us were discovering the joys of 32 bit gaming, SM Southmall was busy installing its first Sewage Treatment Plant or STP. Today, these plants are a standard feature in all 89 SM malls.

These facilities are crucial for protecting public health and the environment. By treating wastewater on site, SM reduces pollution and safeguards our natural resources. The recycled water doesn't go to waste either. It gets a second life flushing water closets, cleaning surfaces, and keeping the mall greenery lush. Combine that with low flow fixtures and water saving tech, and you have a massive operation running on maximum efficiency.

Scaling Up for Future Resilience

Liza B. Silerio, the Vice President and Head of Sustainability and Resilience at SM Supermalls, notes that the company is always conscious of its environmental impact. The goal is to maximize what is borrowed from the environment to create a resilient future for the next generation.

The tech is getting even more advanced too. SM is currently evaluating centralized STPs. These systems could serve multiple developments at once, allowing for inter building treatment that lowers costs and boosts efficiency. It is all part of a larger framework designed to handle potential water disruptions in the long term.

Turning Rain into Potable Water

One of the coolest features in their current lineup is the Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM City Baguio. This industry first setup has already processed almost 20,000 cubic meters of rainwater into drinkable water since its 2023 launch.

To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of 12.7 million 1.5 liter mineral water bottles. It covers about 30% of the mall's total monthly clean water needs, saving nearly eight Olympic sized swimming pools of freshwater from the main grid.

Award Winning Strategy

This proactive approach has not gone unnoticed. SM malls have bagged several major distinctions, including the Bantayog ng Lawa Award from the Laguna Lake Development Authority. They were also the first private entity to receive the Gawad Taga Ilog Award from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Beyond the hardware and infrastructure, SM is also focusing on the human element. Through SM Cares, they are running awareness campaigns to turn mall goers into future water stewards.

Water is a universal human right, and as Silerio puts it, the work continues to ensure a better world for future generations. By staying ahead of the curve with sustainability measures, SM Supermalls is moving forward with a clear purpose and even greater possibilities for the Filipino community.