Water is essential for every industry, supporting everything from manufacturing and energy production to agriculture and mining. Global freshwater consumption has quadrupled in the last 50 years, with industries like construction, agriculture and manufacturing accounting for 20% of the world's water usage. However, with increasing water scarcity, rising industrial demands and climate change, the importance of sustainable water management for industries has never been more critical. Addressing this challenge is not only a matter of operational efficiency but also aligns with global efforts like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (UN SDG 6), which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Global Industrial Water Usage
Water consumption patterns in industries change substantially across regions. Developed nations often see industrial water use exceeding 40%, while agriculture dominates in developing countries. The United States and Canada lead industrial water withdrawals, with heavy usage throughout the Americas, Europe and East Asia. In the US, industrial water withdrawals account for 47.2% of total freshwater withdrawals and 75.92% in Canada. Understanding the patterns of global water usage by industry is critical to addressing the dual challenges of water scarcity and environmental sustainability.
When considering global industrial water usage, it is important to distinguish between the three recognised categories of water: blue, green, and grey:
- Agriculture predominantly relies on green water. This could be rainwater stored in the soil and used by crops.
- Industrial processes are far more dependent on blue water from rivers, lakes, and aquifers. This reliance on blue water makes industries particularly vulnerable to scarcity and regulatory restrictions, as these sources are shared with communities and ecosystems.
- At the same time, industrial activities generate significant grey water, the volume of freshwater needed to assimilate pollutants from effluents.
Recognising these distinctions is critical to understanding where industrial water impacts occur and how strategies such as a comprehensive Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) can aid in sustainable water management.
Learn More: Company Water Footprint Assessment | Tunley Environmental
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Industry |
Primary Applications |
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Power generation |
Cooling in thermal power plants and hydropower |
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Manufacturing |
Process water, cleaning and cooling |
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Construction |
Concrete production, site preparation and Equipment operation |
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Mining and metals |
Ore processing and dust suppression |
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Textile industries |
Dyeing, washing and finishing |
Regional Variations in Industrial Water Use
Water usage by industry varies significantly across regions:
- North America and Europe: Industrial sectors dominate water withdrawals, driven by energy-intensive industries such as power generation and manufacturing.
- Asia: With its rapid industrial growth, Asia accounts for a significant share of global industrial water use, especially in manufacturing and textiles.
- Africa: While agriculture is the primary water consumer, industrial water use is expected to rise as economies develop.
Why is Sustainable Water Management Important?
Industries account for a significant portion of global water usage, with some sectors, like textiles and agriculture, consuming vast quantities daily. Mismanagement of this resource exacerbates water scarcity, jeopardising not just ecosystems but the industries themselves. Sustainable water management offers a way forward, ensuring that water remains available for both current and future generations while mitigating environmental impacts.
Sustainable Water Management Techniques
Achieving water sustainability in any industry requires a comprehensive strategy. Effective sustainable water management should be adequately planned for and integrated into the corporate strategy.
- Water Footprint Assessment: Conducting regular assessments of how water is used in your organisation helps paint a full picture of your water footprint, identify inefficiencies and prioritise areas for improvement.
- Recycling and Reuse: Treating and reusing wastewater can significantly reduce dependency on fresh water, especially in water-intensive sectors like manufacturing.
- Efficient Technologies: Implementing advanced filtration systems, closed-loop cooling systems and smart irrigation techniques can drastically cut industrial water usage.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Capturing and storing rainwater offers an additional water source, reducing strain on local supplies.
- Collaborative Water Stewardship: Partnering with local communities, governments and environmental organisations can ensure that industries contribute to shared water goals, aligning with UN SDG 6.
Key Challenges in Industrial Water Management
- Rising Water Scarcity: Industries often draw from shared water sources, putting them in direct competition with communities and ecosystems. Droughts, pollution and over-extraction further compound this issue.
- Water Security Risks: Disruptions in water availability can halt production lines, increase costs and threaten supply chains, making water security a growing priority for industrial players.
- Environmental Impacts: Poor water management practices can lead to pollution, harming aquatic ecosystems and degrading biodiversity.
The Importance of a Water Footprint Assessment
Traditional water management often focuses on direct withdrawals from a site or facility. While useful, this narrow view ignores the broader reality: water impacts are embedded throughout supply chains, in raw material production, and in energy use.
A Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) goes further by:
- Measuring direct and indirect water use across a company’s value chain.
- Accounting for blue water (surface and groundwater), green water (rainwater) and grey water (polluted water requiring treatment).
- Identifying geographic hotspots where withdrawals occur in water-stressed regions.
- Linking consumption to environmental, social and regulatory risks.
This level of detail provides companies with the knowledge to reduce their exposure to water scarcity and reputational risk while aligning with global goals. At Tunley Environmental, our Water Footprint Assessment service provides industries with a comprehensive, science-driven analysis of their water impacts. It goes beyond compliance to deliver actionable insights that can transform water management into a pillar of corporate sustainability.
Aligning Industrial Practices with Global Goals
The intersection of clean water and sustainable industrial growth lies at the heart of UN SDG 6. By adopting sustainable water management practices, industries can reduce their water consumption, protect ecosystems and ensure equitable resource distribution. This not only fulfils social and environmental responsibilities but also builds resilience against future challenges.
The Bottom Line
Sustainable water management needs to be at the core of every industry's operational strategy. Recent trends indicate a concerning possibility of increasing water demand possibly outstripping supply in many regions. This is a significant concern as it means that efficient water usage could impact business survival. As organisations grapple with the dual pressures of increasing demand and diminishing supplies, adopting sustainable water management for industries is essential to safeguarding their future. Learn more about conducting a water footprint assessment for your organisation here.