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Research Centers

Center for Sustainable Water Solutions (CSWS)

Research Centers - Center for Sustainable Water Solutions - Banner.

The Center for Sustainable Water Solutions (CSWS) of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) is a research and innovation center dedicated to addressing water-related challenges through science, engineering, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Center focuses on developing sustainable, innovative, and practical water solutions that can contribute to water security, environmental protection, improved water quality, and resilient communities. Its work may encompass areas such as water treatment and purification, wastewater management, water-resource monitoring, conservation, reuse, and climate-resilient water technologies. As part of Mapúa MCL’s growing research ecosystem, CSWS supports the generation and application of research that can respond to water challenges in Laguna, CALABARZON, and beyond.

Contact Information

Center for Sustainable Water Solutions (CSWS)
Managing College:  CAS (Science Cluster) in partnership with MITL (ChE Program)
Target Research Areas:  Water Studies, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science
Location: R409B Chem Lab, Rizal Bldg.
Lead Researcher: Ronald Allan S. delos Reyes, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]

Research Team

The following are appointed as Faculty Research Advisers/Coordinators for CSWS.
  • Ronald Allan S. delos Reyes, Ph.D.
  • Eden S. Erasga 
  • Edgar S. Magas 
  • Tristan Roy L. Panaligan

Vision

To be a leading research and innovation center for sustainable water solutions that advances water security, environmental sustainability, and resilient communities.

Mission

Research Centers - Center for Sustainable Water Solutions - Mission.

To conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research; develop practical and sustainable water technologies and solutions; and foster partnerships among academe, government, industry, and communities to address emerging water challenges and contribute to a water-secure and sustainable future.

The Center's activities:

  • Water and wastewater treatment — developing technologies for safe water and effective wastewater management.
  • Water resource management — supporting sustainable use, conservation, monitoring, and protection of water resources.
  • Water innovation and technology — developing and testing new technologies, including decentralized and community-scale solutions.
  • Environmental sustainability — reducing the environmental impacts associated with water use and wastewater.
  • Climate and water resilience — addressing water scarcity and other challenges associated with climate and environmental change.
  • Research and development — producing evidence and technologies that can be translated into practical applications.
  • Community and industry partnerships — connecting academic research with real-world water problems.

Research Thrust

CSWS conducts interdisciplinary research across the following strategic areas:

  • Water purification and treatment
  • Desalination and water recovery
  • Membrane technology and advanced materials
  • Water-quality monitoring and prediction
  • Emerging contaminants and toxic pollutants removal
Research Centers - Center for Sustainable Water Solutions - Research Focus Areas.

Publications

Research Centers - Center for Sustainable Water Solutions - Research Publications.

Engr. Eden S. Erasga 

  1. Erasga, E. S., Dimarucut, C. J. D., Larino, J. K. M., & Pablo, B. J. T. (2024). Phosphate adsorption from aqueous solution using activated carbon from Saba banana peels impregnated with Ca²⁺. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 113, 271–276.  
  2. Erasga, E. S., Soriano, A. J. A., Moral, K. M. M., & Magimot, G. D. V. (2024). Removal of nitrate in aqueous solution by adsorption using activated carbon from peanut (Arachis hypogaea) shells impregnated with Zn²⁺ from ZnCl₂ solution. E3S Web of Conferences, 557, Article 02005. 
  3. Erasga, E. S., Abdon, N. T. R. P., Ceres, P. M. L., & Maceren, J. P. M. (2025). Removal of orthophosphates in simulated municipal wastewater by adsorption using activated carbon from banana (Musa acuminata balbisiana) pith impregnated with Ca²⁺ from eggshells. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 122, 391–396. 
  4. Erasga, E. S., Tolentino, D. P., Valenzuela, J. C., & Veyra, R. D. (2026). Synthesis and performance evaluation of chitosan-PEG-cellulose acetate nanofiltration membrane for calcium removal in groundwater. Key Engineering Materials, 1052, 103–112. 
  5. Erasga, E. S., Brucelas, M. J. M., & Tionson, M. L. G. M. (2025). Mathematical modelling and simulation of water quality parameters in Laguna De Bay using artificial neural network. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3338(1), Article 020006. 
  6. Erasga, E. S., Llames, A. M. A., Sangab, K. Z., & Yap, A. N. T. (2026). Characterization and performance of pineapple stem cationic starch as an eco-friendly flocculant for phosphate removal from wastewater. E3S Web of Conferences, 690, Article 02005. 
  7. Erasga, E. S., Matienzo, A. R., Nanola, A. J. N., & Vibar, A. J. B. (2024). Adsorption of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution using activated cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) fixed on alginate. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 113, 265–270. 
  8. Erasga, E. S., Avila, N. M. P., Chua, K., & Salvador, M. G. B. (2025). Evaluation of mucilage from saluyot (Corchorus olitorius) as natural coagulant for the removal of crystal violet dye from simulated textile wastewater. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 122, 181–186. 
  9. Erasga, E. S., Bigornia, C. J., Dimaano, Y. I., & Teope, Q. L. (2026). Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in simulated textile wastewater using iron terephthalate metal–organic framework under visible light irradiation. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 17(4), 319–327. 

Engr. Tristan Roy L. Panaligan 

  1. Panaligan, T. R. L., Aquino, J. R., Centeno, D. B., Pedrosa, K. M. M., & Tumamao, J. A. (2024). Adsorption of iron (II) ions from simulated industrial wastewater utilizing activated carbon from cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica). International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 15, 288–293. 
  2. Andra, C. K., Manriquez, E., Quilo, V. M., Villena, K., & Panaligan, T. R. (2026). Agricultural waste valorization for industrial effluent treatment: Simultaneous adsorption of Cu(II), Fe(II), and MG dye using coco peat. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 17, 243–249. 
  3. Panaligan, T. R. L., Aquino, J. R., Alpino, D. J. B., Aquino, J. B., & Carta, A. J. A. (2025). Optimization of phosphate removal from simulated wastewater using corn (Zea mays) husk-derived cellulose as a bioadsorbent using full factorial design of experiments. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 16, 196–201. 
  4. Panaligan, T. R. L., Aquino, J. R., Almario, A. H., Francia, J. D. C., & Mendoza, I. A. B. (2025). A comparative analysis of Zn²⁺ adsorption from simulated mining wastewater using unmodified and NaClO-modified sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar. Key Engineering Materials, 1017, 83–88. 
  5. Panaligan, T. R. L., Pagal, J. A. N., & Cancisio, S. J. J. (2023). Response surface methodology design and optimization of inorganic phosphate removal from simulated wastewater effluent utilizing Caulerpa lentillifera algal powder. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 106, 61–66. 
  6. Panaligan, T. R. L., Lee, A. K. S., Petareal, C. J., & Tadena, J. R. A. (2024). Synthesis, characterization, and utilization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) magnetic biochar for nitrate removal from simulated wastewater. Key Engineering Materials, 980, 81–86. 
  7. Panaligan, T. R. L., Wu, Y.-J., Doma, B. T., Jr., & Whang, L.-M. (2025). Correlation analysis of COMAMMOX Nitrospira relative to AOB activity in biological nitrogen removal from synthetic municipal wastewater using full factorial design. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 16, 243–252. 
  8. Panaligan, T. R., Maraña, J. C., Tabanguil, J. R. A., Olivar, R., & Repunte, S. M. (2026). From global trends to local realities: A mini review of water footprint analysis and its implications for the Philippines. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences, F2489, 138–146. 

Prof. Edgar S. Magas 

  1. Magas, E. S., delos Reyes, R. A. S., Trovela, G. E. G., & Repunte, S. M. C. (2026, May 1). Fabrication of eggshell membrane-templated CuO-ZnO nanocomposite for microbial desalination cell. Key Engineering Materials, 1052, 95–101. 

Dr. Ronald Allan S. delos Reyes 

  1. delos Reyes, R. A. S., Rahman, S., Han, T. K., Arillas, J. R. D. M., De Chavez, A. R. G., & Gelera, J. R. F. (2026). The effect of foam pore size, density and the use of MXene on the thermal conductivity and flexural strength of PU-foam roofing panel samples. Hybrid Advances, 12, Article 100587.