Water Neutral

What is water neutral?

Water neutral refers to an approach where water consumption and its impacts are reduced and the remaining impact is balanced through water conservation or replenishment measures. The water neutral meaning also considers local water availability and impacts within the relevant watershed.

Importance of water neutrality

Water neutrality is important for businesses and organisations that need to manage water use and its environmental impacts responsibly. Since water availability and water-related risks vary by location, a water neutral strategy should consider the conditions of the watershed where water is sourced and used. Water neutrality in business can help reduce water consumption, manage water-related risks and address remaining impacts through appropriate local measures.

Uses of a water neutral strategy

A water neutral strategy can be used to:

• Improve water-use efficiency across business and manufacturing operations
• Reduce water consumption through process improvements and conservation
• Treat and reuse wastewater
• Assess water risks, impacts and dependencies across operations and relevant value chains
• Support rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and other water conservation measures
• Address water-related impacts within the relevant watershed
• Monitor water consumption and progress towards water neutrality

Examples of water neutrality

Examples of measures that can support water neutrality include:

• Reducing freshwater consumption through water-efficient processes and equipment
• Treating and reusing wastewater in suitable operations
• Using rainwater harvesting to reduce dependence on freshwater sources
• Undertaking groundwater recharge or watershed conservation projects
• Managing groundwater and surface water while protecting water sources from contamination
• Monitoring water consumption and the outcomes of conservation measures