Worldwide industries of varying sizes and sectors depend on water. It is a crucial resource for everything from crop cultivation to manufacturing, with almost every product and service relying on the availability of clean water. Yet, as global demand rises and climate change disrupts hydrological patterns, businesses are being forced to reckon with the true scale of their dependence on this finite resource. Understanding and mapping water footprint across the supply chain is now a very important component of a sustainable business strategy. Additionally, it aligns directly with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
At its core, mapping water footprint involves quantifying the amount of water used directly and indirectly across an organisation, product or service’s value chain, from raw material extraction and processing to product use and disposal. This approach provides visibility into how water is consumed, polluted and replenished throughout operations and enables targeted strategies to reduce impact. According to the World Economic Forum, more than 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used in agriculture, while industries such as textiles, mining and energy account for another 19%.
The risks of unsustainable use are not limited to direct withdrawals. Hidden or “virtual” water (the water embedded in products or services) can represent up to 90% of a company’s total footprint.
It goes without saying that water is the foundation of life. Every ecosystem, community, and economy depends on it. Yet when businesses misuse or overconsume water, the consequences ripple far beyond their immediate operations. Unsustainable water use reduces the availability of freshwater reserves and directly threatens access to safe drinking water for communities. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report (2024), over two billion people already live in water-stressed countries, and industrial withdrawals are a growing factor in local depletion and pollution of freshwater sources. This means that corporate responsibility in water management is not just about operational efficiency but also about safeguarding a fundamental human right and ensuring equitable access to clean water for today and for the future.
By mapping water footprint, organisations can:
For many organisations, the majority of their water impact occurs not within their own facilities but across their extended value chains. Mapping water footprint in this context helps integrate water footprinting into wider sustainability in the supply chain. It provides the data necessary to:
Corporations need to approach water management as they would other crucial strategic resources. Supply chain disruptions due to drought, contamination or inadequate governance can lead to production losses, reputational damage and financial risk. Therefore, mapping water use across all supplier tiers allows organisations to pre-empt challenges and invest in resilience-building partnerships.
UN SDG 6 calls for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Yet progress remains off track; the United Nations estimates that by 2030, 1.6 billion people will lack access to safe drinking water, while 2.8 billion will face water scarcity for at least one month per year. Businesses play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. Through mapping water footprint, organisations can align their operations with SDG 6 targets, particularly:
By embedding water considerations into supply chain strategy, companies not only contribute to SDG 6 but also future proof their operations against escalating water risks and stakeholder scrutiny.
Organisations embarking on the journey of mapping water footprint should adopt a structured, data-driven process that integrates with broader sustainability goals. The following framework outlines five essential stages:
1. Define Boundaries and Objectives
Start by setting the scope of the water footprint assessment to determine whether it covers operational facilities, supply chains or specific product life cycles. Identify key questions such as:
Gather water use data from across the business and suppliers. This includes volumes of abstraction, discharge quality and embedded water in raw materials. Classify water types into:
Combine consumption data with external indicators (e.g. Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, WWF Water Risk Filter) to identify high-risk locations. Factors such as drought frequency, pollution levels and regulatory stability should inform your water risk assessment.
4. Develop Reduction and Replenishment Strategies
Once hotspots are known, design interventions to minimise impacts. This can include:
Transparency is central to credibility. Establish regular reporting aligned with recognised frameworks like CDP Water Security or the Water Footprint Network. Set key performance indicators for reduction per production unit and track progress annually.
Learn More: Why is Sustainable Water Management for Industries?
In his latest whitepaper, “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Water,” our Senior Scientist and Carbon Co-lead Dr Gareth Davies draws a striking parallel between the diversity of water challenges and the unpredictability of the famous fictional sweets. Each flavour, or water type, represents a unique combination of context, chemistry and cultural value. The paper argues that businesses often treat water as a uniform commodity, failing to recognise the complex local realities that define its true impact.
Key takeaways from the whitepaper include:
Gareth’s work calls for a shift from generic water footprinting metrics to dynamic, location-based water footprint assessment methods that reflect hydrological realities. The paper concludes that businesses embracing such approaches can unlock innovation opportunities for water management.
Download your copy of the whitepaper: Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Water By Dr Gareth Davies
Water scarcity is fast becoming one of the defining sustainability challenges of our time with research from the World Bank showing that water scarcity could shave up to 6% off regional GDP growth by 2050 in some areas if left unaddressed. When companies undertake water footprint assessment across their supply chains, they can spot hidden exposures and align with the principles of water management and sustainability in the supply chain. As “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Water” reminds us, there is no single flavour of water risk; each company’s context is unique. Yet the goal remains universal: achieving responsible water management that supports both business continuity and UN SDG 6.