Estate Water, the non-East Zone arm of Manila Water, is stepping up its range of water solutions with a new seawater desalination plant at Ayala Land’s Lio Tourism Estate in Palawan. This project underscores the company’s push to secure steady water supply for communities where freshwater is scarce, especially as El Niño and other climate risks become more frequent and severe.
The facility carries an investment of roughly P189 million. Once running, it will turn out 500 cubic meters of safe drinking water daily—enough to cover existing needs and future growth across the estate’s tourism, residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas. It will use Seawater Reverse Osmosis, a proven global technology: seawater drawn from carefully sited beach wells goes through several stages of filtration and membrane treatment to remove salt and impurities, producing water that meets Philippine drinking water standards.
For Estate Water, this project is a clear demonstration of how it can move beyond conventional water systems and tailor solutions to local conditions. Many areas, including Lio, have long depended on groundwater from shallow wells—sources that often run low in peak seasons or prolonged dry spells. The new plant offers a reliable alternative, easing pressure on groundwater and building long-term resilience against drought and shifting weather patterns.
“Water challenges are growing more complex due to climate change, rising demand, and limited resources, so water providers must keep innovating,” said Barny Kim, General Manager of Estate Water. “This desalination facility shows we can deliver advanced, fit-for-purpose technology suited to each community’s unique needs—helping ensure a steady, sustainable water supply that lasts.”
Construction is now in progress, with the plant scheduled to begin operations in August 2027.
