New seawater reverse osmosis facility to produce up to 500 cubic meters of potable water daily, adding a diversified water source for the estate
EL NIDO, PALAWAN — As El Nido continues to grow as a tourism and lifestyle destination, Ayala Land’s Lio Estate is strengthening its water infrastructure with a new seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) facility that will produce up to 500 cubic meters of potable water per day.
The facility is expected to begin operations in August 2027, providing Lio Estate with an additional source of water supply as the estate expands its tourism, hospitality, residential, and commercial offerings.
Lio Estate currently relies on its own groundwater wells, which continue to serve the estate. The new SWRO facility will diversify Lio’s water sources, strengthen its existing water infrastructure, and help prepare for future demand. The facility is being developed and will be operated by Estate Water, a division of Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc.
Diversifying Lio’s Water Sources
The new facility will support Lio Estate’s current requirements and future developments, including the Balai Adlao Expansion, Tara Hostel, Estate Support Facilities, additional retail offerings, and Sitio Aplaya, Lio’s newest residential-commercial district.
“As Lio continues to grow, we want to make sure our infrastructure is always a step ahead of demand, not catching up to it,” said Cris Zuluaga, Head of Ayala Land Leisure Estates. “This facility is part of that long-term view — strengthening what we already have in place and preparing Lio for the years ahead.”
Beyond adding water production capacity, the project will strengthen Lio’s overall water infrastructure by introducing another source of supply and reducing reliance on a single source, particularly during periods of increased demand.
Turning Seawater into Potable Water
The facility will use Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology, a process that treats seawater to produce potable water. Estate Water will develop and operate the facility, with the treated water designed to meet the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) and applicable regulatory requirements for potable water. The project will also comply with all required environmental permits and safeguards throughout its construction and operation.
Strengthening Lio’s Water Security
The additional water source will help improve supply reliability across the estate while supporting the responsible management of Lio’s existing water resources.
By adding seawater desalination to its water supply system, Lio Estate can further diversify its sources and help ease pressure on its groundwater resources as demand increases.
“The SWRO facility provides an additional source of supply that will strengthen Lio’s overall water security and help ensure greater reliability, particularly during periods of increased demand,” said Rubenson Cruz, Technical Services Head of Estate Water.
The project forms part of Ayala Land’s long-term vision of creating well-planned, resilient estates where infrastructure keeps pace with growth and supports the needs of communities, businesses, and visitors. For Lio Estate, strengthening its water infrastructure today helps lay the foundation for its continued development and contributes to El Nido’s evolution as a thriving tourism and lifestyle destination.
