Water and Effluents

Goal. To minimise water use and its impact on ecosystems, ensuring long-term water security in the supply chain.

Water is a critical natural resource, and responsible water management is essential for environmental protection, business continuity, and community wellbeing. As water scarcity and pollution become growing global challenges, businesses have a key role to play in conserving water, reducing waste, and preventing harmful effluents from entering natural ecosystems. Effective water management also helps mitigate risks related to regulation, reputational damage, and operational disruption — particularly for businesses in water-intensive sectors.

To improve water efficiency and reduce harmful effluents, businesses can start by measuring water use across their operations to identify areas of overuse or waste. Installing low-flow fixtures, fixing leaks promptly, and upgrading to water-efficient equipment can significantly reduce consumption. Businesses should also assess how water is discharged — ensuring compliance with regulations and avoiding contamination of local water bodies.

Where relevant, businesses can invest in water recycling or rainwater harvesting systems and adopt closed-loop processes to reduce reliance on freshwater. Staff awareness and training can also support a culture of water conservation. In supply chains, businesses may engage with partners to promote sustainable water practices and protect shared water resources.

Self Assessment Question

Do you implement measures to improve water efficiency and conservation, including increasing the use of recycled or recovered water and ensuring where relevant that wastewater management complies with legal and regulatory standards?

Reporting Disclosures

  • Total water withdrawals by source
  • Information on water efficiency measures implemented by the company
  • Total Freshwater and Non-Freshwater discharges

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