El nexo agua-energía: cómo la eficiencia energética reduce tu huella hídrica

‍Water and energy form an interdependent system that directly impacts any organization’s environmental footprint. Every kWh consumed carries an associated water footprint, from power generation to industrial processes. In this article, we explore how energy efficiency becomes a key lever to reduce water footprint, optimize resources, and strengthen your sustainability strategy. You will also understand the water–energy nexus, its real implications for businesses, and the concrete opportunities to act with data, efficiency, and a long-term vision.

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What is the water–energy nexus?

The water–energy nexus describes the structural interdependence between water consumption and energy use in production systems. Any economic activity that consumes energy uses water directly or indirectly, and every use of water requires energy for abstraction, treatment, transport, and wastewater management.

This link is not conceptual — it is operational and measurable. Reducing energy consumption automatically lowers the associated water footprint. Companies that optimize energy reduce pressure on water resources and minimize operational risks.

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Why does energy efficiency reduce water footprint?

Energy generation is one of the largest water consumers globally. Thermal power plants, industrial processes, cooling systems, and fuel production require significant volumes of water.

Every kWh saved avoids water consumption in:

• Fuel extraction and processing
• Power plant cooling
• Electricity generation
• Distribution infrastructure

Energy efficiency directly reduces indirect water footprint (blue and grey water footprint).

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Which sectors are most exposed to the water–energy nexus?

The impact of the water–energy nexus is not uniform across industries. Some sectors have a higher simultaneous dependence on water and energy, increasing their exposure to operational, regulatory, and cost-related risks. Identifying these sectors is key to prioritizing efficiency and sustainable management actions.

Industry

Industrial operations concentrate intensive water and energy use. Thermal processes, cleaning, cooling, and transformation create dual dependency.

Agri-food

Irrigation, processing, and refrigeration make the agri-food sector highly exposed to both water scarcity and energy stress.

Buildings and services

Heating, cooling, domestic hot water, and electricity represent the main cross-consumption drivers.

Companies in these sectors obtain immediate returns when addressing both vectors in an integrated way.

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How is water footprint associated with energy consumption measured?

Measuring the water footprint linked to energy consumption reveals impacts that often go unnoticed in traditional assessments. This measurement connects energy data with indirect water use throughout the value chain, providing a more comprehensive basis for sustainability and operational decision-making.

Direct water footprint

Direct water footprint measures water consumed in a company’s own processes: abstraction, cleaning, cooling, and discharges.

Indirect water footprint

Indirect water footprint measures the water associated with consumed energy (electricity and fuels).

Most companies underestimate indirect water footprint, which can represent more than 80% of total impact.

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Which energy efficiency measures reduce water footprint the most?

Not all energy efficiency measures generate the same impact on water footprint. Identifying actions that simultaneously reduce energy consumption and indirect water use maximizes environmental, operational, and economic benefits within an integrated sustainability strategy.

Efficient electrification

Replacing obsolete thermal equipment reduces water consumption associated with fossil fuels.

Process optimization

Improvements in motors, compressors, and thermal systems simultaneously reduce water and energy use.

Renewable energy

Solar and wind energy have a significantly lower water footprint than conventional sources.

Digitalization and monitoring

Real-time measurement helps detect hidden inefficiencies.

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What is the relationship between the water–energy nexus and CSRD?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the ESRS standards require companies to report water consumption, energy use, and associated risks. Treating these impacts separately creates inconsistencies.

Companies that address the water–energy nexus improve reporting quality, identify physical risks (such as droughts) and transition risks (such as rising energy costs), and strengthen resilience.

Tools like Manglai allow organizations to connect energy, water, and emissions data within a single platform.

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Common mistakes in water–energy management

Managing the water–energy nexus is often limited by partial approaches, lack of integrated data, or decisions based solely on short-term costs. Identifying common mistakes helps avoid inefficiencies and move toward more strategic resource management.

Common errors include:

• Measuring water and energy in silos
• Prioritizing only economic cost
• Ignoring indirect footprint
• Lack of standardized indicators

Integrated management eliminates these blind spots.

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Integrated efficiency: the key to sustainable water and energy management

The water–energy nexus is becoming a critical pillar of corporate sustainability and advanced risk management. Integrating energy efficiency with data-driven water management enables organizations to reduce environmental impacts, optimize operational costs, and strengthen resilience against climate change and regulatory pressure.

Companies that adopt this integrated vision not only improve environmental performance but also gain anticipation capacity, efficiency, and competitiveness in an increasingly demanding business environment.

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FAQs about the water–energy nexus

Do all companies have an indirect water footprint?

Yes. Any company that consumes energy has an indirect water footprint.

Is it more effective to save water or energy?

Saving energy often generates greater indirect water reduction.

How should companies prioritize investments?

By using combined water–energy indicators to identify the highest-impact actions.

Is reporting on this nexus mandatory?

Increasingly so, as the CSRD incorporates water and energy impacts in a cross-cutting manner.