The ripple effect of the water crisis has reached every part of the globe. According to WWF, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 7.2 billion find water scare for at least one month of the year.
In the Philippines, a multifaceted approach has also been embraced by the public and private sectors in safeguarding and managing water resources. SM Supermalls are at the forefront of the conservation and management of water resources in its mall facilities. Its endeavors form the foundation of a more sustainable and water-secure future that the company has long been advocating.
SM has been recycling water since the 1990s, treating an average of 1 billion gallons of water annually in recent years, equivalent to 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In line with the SM Green Movement, SM has been continuously working towards responsible consumption and water conservation in its properties.
To illustrate, the SM Supermalls' comfort rooms have smart fixtures to manage water flow. There are also signages in the mall that advocate wise water use. Wastewater is channeled to the malls' sewage treatment plants that recycle an estimated total of 4 million cubic meters of water, lessening their dependence on freshwater sources for non-potable uses. SM did this even before the measure was required by the Clean Water Act in 2004.
SM Mall of Asia has been involved in various sustainability and environmental initiatives, including water recycling among others. It also utilizes recycled wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens.
SM Malls have "Save Water" signages that typically aim to create awareness about water conservation and inspire people to take simple actions to reduce their water consumption.
SM City Baguio took a step further by launching the first-ever water filtration system. This facility can turn collected rainwater into potable water for mall tenant use, allowing the mall to further lessen its dependence on the freshwater supply of the Baguio community.
SM's dedication aligns with the world's environmental sustainability and climate action goals. Rainwater catchment basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration in SM Baguio further exemplify this commitment. These significant efforts underscore the ongoing need for sustainable practices and policies.
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