How can you ensure sustainable water sources for your food manufacturing plant?

1 Assess your water risks

The first step to ensure sustainable water sources is to assess your water risks, both current and future. This means identifying where you source your water, how much you use, how you dispose of it, and what impacts it has on your operations, environment, and community. You can use tools like the Water Risk Filter or the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas to analyze your water-related data and map your water risks across different locations, scenarios, and indicators.

2 Implement water-efficient practices

The second step to ensure sustainable water sources is to implement water-efficient practices that can help you save water, energy, and costs. This means adopting technologies and processes that can reduce your water consumption, reuse your wastewater, and recycle your water resources. For example, you can install low-flow faucets, sensors, and meters to monitor and control your water use; you can treat and reuse your wastewater for irrigation, cooling, or cleaning; you can collect and store rainwater or stormwater for non-potable purposes.

3 Engage with your stakeholders

The third step to ensure sustainable water sources is to engage with your stakeholders, both internal and external. This means communicating and collaborating with your employees, customers, suppliers, regulators, and communities to raise awareness, share best practices, and address common challenges. For example, you can train your staff on water conservation and efficiency; you can inform your customers about your water stewardship efforts and goals; you can work with your suppliers to improve their water management and performance; you can partner with your regulators and communities to support local water initiatives and projects.

4 Monitor and report your water performance

The fourth step to ensure sustainable water sources is to monitor and report your water performance, both quantitative and qualitative. This means measuring and tracking your water use, quality, and impacts; setting and reviewing your water targets and objectives; and disclosing and verifying your water results and achievements. For example, you can use indicators and standards like the Water Footprint Network or the Alliance for Water Stewardship to quantify and benchmark your water performance; you can use frameworks and platforms like the CEO Water Mandate or the CDP Water Security to report and communicate your water actions and commitments.

5 Innovate and adapt to water challenges

The fifth step to ensure sustainable water sources is to innovate and adapt to water challenges, both present and emerging. This means exploring and experimenting with new solutions and opportunities that can enhance your water security, resilience, and value. For example, you can use digital technologies like artificial intelligence or blockchain to optimize your water management and transparency; you can use alternative water sources like seawater or brackish water to diversify your water portfolio; you can use circular economy principles like waste-to-value or regenerative agriculture to create positive water impacts.