As urbanization and population growth strain global freshwater resources, access to clean water has become an urgent issue. The United Nations (UN)-Water highlights the importance of effective water management to address these concerns, urging both society and the environment to prioritize conservation efforts.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a leading property developer in Southeast Asia, has long recognized the importance of water conservation. Since the 1990s, the company has integrated sustainable water practices into its operations, well ahead of the widespread recognition of the link between water stress and climate change.
Through its Water for Tomorrow campaign, SM Prime emphasizes water stewardship in its developments, actively incorporating climate resilience and responsible resource management to support both the environment and the communities it serves.
Sustainable water management efforts
SM Prime has embedded water conservation measures and efficient management systems throughout its buildings.
The company has invested heavily in technologies that reduce freshwater use and demand on municipal water supplies. In 2023, the company’s total water consumption was 7.2 million cubic meters, with 61% of that water recycled.
On average, SM Supermalls uses over 1 billion gallons of recycled water annually for operations, including cleaning, landscaping, and cooling air conditioning towers.
These practices are implemented across the company’s various subsidiaries, including the SM Offices’ E-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex, which use sewage treatment plants to recycle greywater, and SMDC’s Sea and Shore Residences, which donate treated water for greening efforts.
SM Hotels and Convention Corporation’s Pico Sands Hotel reduced its freshwater consumption by 36%, achieving 52% water reuse, while Hamilo Coast’s water desalination plant in Nasugbu, Batangas, supports sustainable eco-tourism.
Protecting water resources
In support of World Water Day 2025, SM Prime is aligning its efforts with this year’s UN-Water theme, "Glacier Preservation." Glacial ice holds about 69% of the world’s fresh water, and with rapid glacial melting and climate change-related challenges, the planet faces a looming water crisis.
SM Prime continues to integrate water-efficient systems in its developments to raise public awareness and encourage responsible water use among mallgoers, tenants, and communities. For example, SM City Baguio's rainwater treatment facility has treated 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable water since its launch in 2023.
The company’s Water for Tomorrow initiative plays a key role in its broader sustainability strategy, which also includes commitments to achieve 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, and we must move beyond conservation to prioritize resource protection and water security for future generations.”