The growing demand for clean, potable water is one of today’s most urgent global challenges. Rapid urbanization and population growth are placing immense pressure on freshwater resources, making sustainable water management a necessity. According to UN-Water, effective water stewardship is vital to ensuring a healthy balance between human needs and environmental sustainability.
As a leading integrated property developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has been committed to water conservation and management since the early 1990s — long before water stress and its link to climate change became widely recognized.
Through its Water for Tomorrow campaign, SM Prime actively integrates climate resilience into its developments, ensuring responsible water management while supporting the well-being of the communities it serves.
Sustainable Water Management
Sustainability is at the core of SM Prime’s water conservation efforts. The company invests heavily in sustainable water management technologies to reduce freshwater consumption and ease the demand on municipal water supplies.
In 2023, SM Prime’s total water consumption reached 7.2 million cubic meters, with 61% of that water being recycled. On average, over 1 billion gallons of recycled water are used annually across SM Supermalls for cleaning, sanitation, landscaping, and air conditioning cooling systems. Low-flow fixtures and water-saving technologies further optimize consumption.
These sustainable practices extend across SM Prime’s portfolio:
• SM Offices’ E-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex operate sewage treatment plants that recycle greywater.
• SM Development Corporation (SMDC) properties, such as Sea and Shore Residences, donate treated water for green spaces within the MOA Complex.
• Pico Sands Hotel reduced its freshwater consumption by 36%, achieving 52% water reuse and 41% water conservation for Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club.
• Hamilo Coast’s desalination plant, operating since 2010, has significantly enhanced water management and sustainable eco-tourism in Nasugbu, Batangas.
Protecting Water Resources for the Future
As part of its commitment to global water conservation efforts, SM Prime supports UN-Water’s World Water Day 2025, which highlights glacier preservation — a critical issue as glaciers hold 69% of the world’s freshwater supply. Rapid glacial melting, altered rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels pose severe risks to global water security.
SM Prime integrates water-efficient systems across its developments to address these challenges and raise public awareness about responsible water use. A key initiative is the rainwater treatment facility (RTF) at SM City Baguio, launched in 2023. To date, it has treated 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable water, reducing reliance on freshwater sources and directly benefiting the local community.
A Commitment to a Water-Secure Future
SM Prime’s Water for Tomorrow program plays a vital role in the company’s broader sustainability vision, aligning with its commitments to achieving Net Zero by 2040 and creating 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.”
Through innovative water solutions and long-term sustainability strategies, SM Prime continues to lead by example — ensuring that responsible water management remains at the heart of its developments.