Manila Water won the Energy Efficiency and Conservation category at the 2023 European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Europa Awards on Sustainability  at the ceremony held in Raffles and Fairmont Hotels in Makati City on October 11, 2023.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) Melvin Tan, together with Sustainability and Energy Manager of MWPV Gil Verzola, and Manila Water Senior Sustainability Manager Christine Casabar, received the prestigious award on the company’s behalf.

The award was given to the water company for observing energy efficiency and conservation practices in its operations, which contribute to the country’s sustainability goals. ECCP based the award on four categories: sustainability strategy and culture, innovation, sustainability partnership, and sustainability impact.

“Our commitment to sustainability extends far beyond addressing water and sanitation challenges. As we strive for greater energy efficiency and overall sustainability within our operations, we are making significant contributions to another critical sustainability goal, SDG 13, which centers on Climate Action,” Chief Operating Officer for Non-East Zone Melvin Tan said in his acceptance speech.

Manila Water, being a global leader in providing quality water and environmental services, follows the energy pyramid, which promotes efficiency through non-revenue water reduction, the implementation of energy efficiency projects, and finding alternative processes to reduce energy consumption.

Metro Manila’s East Zone concessionaire has dramatically reduced system losses in its concession area from 63% in 1997 to less than 15%, which is at par with first-world country standards. This effort reduces the need for the company to extract additional water from watersheds while decreasing the energy and resources required for treatment.

In 2022, Manila Water carried out projects to replace aging equipment with newer and more energy-efficient pumps, motors, and blowers and installed variable-frequency drives. As a result, the company was able to reduce its electric consumption by 12,226 MWh, which is equivalent to PHP127 million in cost avoidance and a reduction of 8,790 tons of CO₂e of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the same year, the water company launched Project Net Zero, which aims to develop GHG reduction targets and a decarbonization roadmap to help limit the 1.5°C increase in global temperature.

Adding to that, Manila Water ensures continuity of its energy management efforts by referencing its practices to ISO 50001 (Energy Management) and strictly complying with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (Republic Act No. 11285).

Aligning with the European Commission’s efforts on the European Green Deal, ECCP’s Europa Awards aim to promote and recognize organizations that have made exceptional contributions to sustainable efforts supporting the Philippine Development Plan.