SM PRIME WATER TREATMENT FACILITY. SM Prime's efforts in implementing sustainable water management practices is a key contributor to Baguio City's water security and well-being. (GMB)

SM Baguio's Rainwater Filtration Facility redefines water conservation in malls

BAGUIO CITY – On Tuesday, SM City Baguio unveiled a groundbreaking facility within its premises, setting a new precedent for malls.

The facility boasts the ability to convert rainwater into potable water, thereby making a significant contribution to the city’s water conservation and recycling initiatives.

In his welcome address, SM Supermalls senior vice president Bien C. Mateo stated, “The mall’s Rainwater Filtration facility will supply the mall with enough potable water that can be redistributed to mall tenants for various uses including washing, cleaning and safe for drinking, to help reduce sourcing from the communities’ water table, leaving more water supply for the Baguio community to use.”

Mateo explained that the implementation of this water-saving innovation aligns with SM Prime’s overarching sustainability program, emphasizing responsible consumption and the reduction of carbon footprints.

It is noteworthy that SM has been actively engaged in water recycling for several decades, starting as early as the 1990s.

“We invest in water conservation technology to eliminate water wastage and adopt stricter measures to reduce consumption. More innovations are being done to recycle more water and filter more rainwater across the properties and estates of SM Prime,” Mateo said.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has recycled a total of 3.58 million cubic meters of water across its properties in the Philippines in 2022.

As of June 2023, SM Prime has successfully implemented water catchment basins in 25 malls, serving as a proactive measure to mitigate flooding and soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall.

The rainwater catchment system installed in SM City Baguio has the capacity to collect and store 51 million liters of rainwater per year, based on the 2022 PAGASA rainfall volume for Baguio City.

To put this into perspective, this amount is equivalent to 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, 13.4 million gallons of drinking water, 373,510 full baths, or 672,318 10-minute showers.

During rainfall, rainwater is collected in a tank and undergoes a comprehensive six-step treatment process, including multimedia filtration, water softening, activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ozonation.

This treatment ensures that the harvested rainwater is safe for various uses within the mall, including washing, cleaning, and even drinking.

The regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CAR) has acknowledged SM Prime’s efforts in providing a long-term solution to water security concerns.

DENR-CAR regional director Jean Borromeo expressed gratitude for SM Prime’s attention to the issue of water scarcity in Baguio City.

In her message, she stated that with deep wells drying up the city’s water table, SM Prime’s initiative helps reduce reliance on the water table and provides additional water supply for the community.

“Water scarcity is one of the biggest issues that Baguio is facing today because deep wells have already dried up the city’s water table. It is good to see how SM Prime is taking its responsibility to the environment seriously, practically addressing the biggest environmental threat to Baguio City,” Borromeo said.

The rainwater filtration facility is part of SM Prime’s commitment to sustainable development and its support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These goals include ensuring clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), promoting industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), encouraging responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and taking action on climate change (SDG 13).

Baguio Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, represented by city project evaluation officer Vittorio Jerico L. Cawis, conveyed his gratitude to SM City Baguio and the individuals responsible for the successful implementation of the rainwater catchment project.

He commended their unwavering dedication and acknowledged the positive impact they have made on the environment.

Mayor Magalong emphasized that the project’s success relies on collaboration and education, urging everyone to work together in spreading awareness about responsible water management, fostering innovation, and inspiring each other to create a positive impact.

“Droughts and water scarcity are becoming all too familiar in many parts of the world, affecting not only our drinking water supply but also agriculture, industry, and biodiversity. But with rainwater catchment, we can turn the tables on these challenges, ensuring that every drop counts and no resource is wasted,” the mayor said.

“By empowering our citizens with the tools and understanding they need, we sow the seeds of lasting change that will bear fruit for generations to come. Together, let’s make waves of change that will echo far beyond this event, creating a ripple effect of hope and sustainability across the globe,” he added.

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