How private firms like DMCI Homes are helping gov't attain water security

DMCI Homes condos are already using water from rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment facilities for landscape maintenance.

Water is one of our most precious natural resources. We use it for drinking, sanitation, cooking, bathing, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and many other purposes at home.

Beyond being a precious domestic resource, water is also used for agricultural and industrial purposes such as irrigation, power generation, mining, food processing, and construction.

All these and many other activities however also put a great strain on freshwater supply. And with decreasing supply, every sector of society is encouraged to help conserve this limited resource.

“People think that water is infinite. (Pero) sabi nga ‘walang forever sa tubig.’ Water is finite,” said Susan Abaño, Chief of the Policy and Program Division of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the government agency responsible for all the water resources in the Philippines.

Metro Manila water situation

In the case of Metro Manila, whose primary source of freshwater supply is Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, water stress is experienced because of increasing demand due to growing population.

“More than 90 percent of the water supply for Metro Manila comes from Angat Dam. Angat Dam is a multi-purpose dam. It’s being used for drinking water in Metro Manila and it’s also being used as irrigation water supply in Pampanga and Bulacan and as hydropower supply for Luzon,” Abaño said.

“But still due to the growing population, industrialization, and (the advent of) many commercial areas and even condominiums, the amount of supply from Angat Dam is not sufficient,” she added.

Short-term strategies

While the government is working on long-term solutions to ensure water security like building more reservoirs to support Angat Dam, short-term strategies like water demand management are being practiced to maximize supply.

“Water demand management includes rainwater harvesting, water recycling and even desalination probably in Cebu where there is very limited freshwater so they use seawater to augment their water supply,” Abaño explained.

With this, Abaño is thankful that some private companies like property developer DMCI Homes have started to invest in water reuse facilities to help the government augment freshwater supply especially in Metro Manila.

“If all sectors work together, there will probably be enough water for 2030. We would meet the Sustainable Development Goal to have sufficient water supply and sanitation for the population by 2030,” she said.

The Erin Heights, DMCI Homes’ single-tower development along Commonwealth Avenue in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, can collect and treat wastewater and process it to become Class A, Environmental Management Bureau certified treated water.  (Artist’s illustration)

Modern wastewater management solutions

Just last year, DMCI Homes announced its investment in modern wastewater management solutions to ensure efficient water use in its condominiums. The move further emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.

While some DMCI Homes condominiums are already using water from rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment facilities to maintain landscaped areas, the company took its sustainability initiatives up a notch by introducing condos with full water recycling and treatment capabilities.

With these capabilities, DMCI Homes’ upcoming condominiums like The Erin Heights, Fortis Residences, and Sage Residences can collect and treat wastewater to make it fit for general use, landscape irrigation, and maintenance of amenities.

For the project, DMCI Homes is tapping its in-house experts as well as professional wastewater management contractors to ensure that residents are provided Class A, Environmental Management Bureau certified treated water. 

A DMCI Homes’ Design and Engineering Department study found that these capabilities can help upcoming condominiums potentially save up to 182 million liters of water annually. Moreover, this means cheaper water bills to pay for homeowners and having enough backup water supply in the event of a water shortage.

DMCI Homes is the Philippines’ first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. The company’s portfolio boasts of more than 60 properties since it was launched in 1999.

To learn more about DMCI Homes’ pre-selling and ready-for-occupancy projects, units for lease, and special promos, call (632) 5324-8888. You can also visit leasing.dmcihomes.com to know more about opportunities in leasing and rent-to-own programs of DMCI Homes. News and other updates are also posted on the company’s official website and its social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.