Strategies to Reduce the Water Footprint of Companies

Over the last decade, water has shifted from being an abundant input to a critical production factor. The average industrial cubic meter price in Spain rose by 18% between 2020 and 2024, and every summer more than half of the river basin districts announce restrictions that force factories to halt production lines or negotiate extraordinary permits. Reducing the water footprint is therefore no longer just a promise of social responsibility: it has become a market entry barrier.

In this article, we will examine the strategies that cut net water consumption both on-site and throughout the supply chain, review verified returns, and present real-world examples.

What does reducing the Water Footprint mean?

Effectively reducing the water footprint involves cutting the liters of blue water (extracted directly from rivers, aquifers, or municipal networks), green water (rainfall retained by crops), and grey water (the volume required to dilute pollutants) per functional unit—without shifting pressure to another basin or dramatically increasing the carbon footprint.

In other words, it is about improving the company’s absolute water efficiency while maintaining a positive environmental balance. Closing a cooling loop but simultaneously increasing the electricity consumption needed to power pumps is not a victory if the associated CO₂ cancels out the water benefit. The goal is optimization with a full life-cycle perspective.

What are the most effective strategies to reduce Corporate Water Footprint?

The reuse of internal effluents is the first savings lever. When a CIP line discharges water containing detergent and residual heat, a microfiltration train followed by reverse osmosis can recycle up to 80% of the flow.

In parallel, rainwater harvesting supplements supply at a negligible marginal cost. For example, a 10,000 m² roof in Barcelona receives around 15,500 cubic meters of rainfall per year; if stored and lightly chlorinated, it can cover garden irrigation, truck washing, and cooling tower replenishment for over 200 days.

Using municipal reclaimed water, now possible under Regulation 2020/741, brings additional benefits. In industrial zones around Valencia, tertiary effluent is billed at 25% less than potable water, and its use reduces stress on coastal aquifers—earning companies social license with local communities. Firms that adopt 10-year contracts hedge against scarcity risks and present strong ESG credentials.

To refine daily operations, more organizations are integrating digital water twins into their SCADA systems. These models, trained with AI algorithms, predict demand peaks and adjust pumping, achieving 12% reductions without replacing equipment—simply by optimizing pump and valve scheduling.

Check out our article on how to measure the water footprint in companies for more insights into corporate water management.

How operational strategies and process redesign help reduce Water Footprint

Not all efficiency gains come from machinery; a significant share comes from redesigning procedures. Reviewing nozzle patterns, increasing wash pressure, and adjusting detergent chemistry can cut rinse volumes in CIP circuits by up to 30% without compromising food safety.

In textiles, replacing immersion dyeing with nebulization can save 70% of water per batch while also lowering the energy needed to heat baths. Even modest product design changes have impact: reducing plastic packaging weight by 15% lowers the green footprint by reducing petrochemical demand, extrusion energy, and logistics.

Key indicators for Corporate Water Management

Management teams need metrics that translate progress into financial results.

• Water volume per ton of product – crucial in sectors like ceramics or food, as it defines unit cost competitiveness.
• Water cost vs. revenue – linking the environmental indicator to the CFO’s language.
• Share of total water from internal recirculation – showing the degree of circularity achieved.
• Percentage of blue water in the total footprint – revealing dependence on scarce resources.

For more indicators related to corporate water footprint, see our article: How to Calculate the Water Footprint of a Product or Activity.

Reducing Corporate Water Footprint: A continuous, multidisciplinary process

Reducing the corporate water footprint is an ongoing process that combines thorough diagnosis, technology investments with proven returns, and operational protocol redesign. Companies that follow these strategies recover their investments in less than two years, secure their social license, and stay ahead of an increasingly strict regulatory framework.

With Manglai’s analytical and methodological support, every liter saved becomes operating margin, enhanced reputation, and a solid step toward true sustainability.

FAQs about Strategies to Reduce Corporate Water Footprint

What is the most cost-effective measure to reduce corporate water footprint?‍

Usually leak detection. Worn seals and misaligned valves account for 5–10% of consumption, and repairs cost under €10,000.

Is it true that reverse osmosis increases energy costs?‍

Yes. While kilowatt-hour use rises, total costs fall because potable water purchases and discharge fees are reduced more than proportionally. A total cost of ownership analysis shows payback in under 24 months.

How can suppliers be engaged in reducing water footprint?‍

By including water reporting clauses in contracts and leveraging Manglai’s supply chain module, which assigns virtual water factors per batch and allows incentives for suppliers that meet sustainability targets.