Water Positive definition
Water Positive” is a concept that goes beyond a simple balance of water use. It refers to an entity’s strategic actions that lead to a net positive contribution to global water resources. There are several approaches to achieve this goal, and this proposal assembles more than 60 professionals from across the world, from varied disciplines, aiming to suggest yet another method: the purification of water through multi-barrier systems, a sustainable water source with a level of purity exceeding that which is currently found in nature. This balance, rooted in the calculation of the water footprint, takes into account various factors: from water footprint. water footprint trade, local water scarcity, social impact, economic, and environmental concerns. Initiatives under the “Water Positive” banner can encompass watershed restoration projects such as reforestation, groundwater recharge, wetland conservation, and river clean-ups. Additionally, companies can amplify their positive contribution by financing access to drinking water and sanitation for communities lacking such facilities. In areas grappling with water scarcity, the purification of seawater and wastewater emerges as an essential strategy to bolster water availability and quality.
Different associations may have varying perspectives in some details, but there is a consensus on certain themes such as net positive balances, water quality, watershed-level impacts, and a holistic understanding of both direct and indirect water usage. As the concept of being water positive develops, the introduction of standardized metrics and certification programs is expected to promote more sustainable water management practices.
The UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate promotes Net Positive Water Impact (NPWI) to build resilience for businesses and communities against climate change impacts. NPWI is a business ambition to create positive impact on water availability, quality, and access in water-stressed regions where companies operate. It involves companies contributing more towards reducing water stress than their own water impacts in a region.
Key aspects of NPWI are it is quantifiable and aligned with scientific water targets across the 3 dimensions of water stress – availability, quality, access. It manifests through collective action in water-stressed basins where impact matters most. It is measured via short-term outputs and long-term outcomes.
In summary, NPWI is an ambitious framework promoted by the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate and adopted by leading companies to create net positive impact on water availability, quality and access in water-stressed regions through quantifiable goals and collective action.
Water positive definition
The concept of water positive can be defined as:
“Being Water Positive refers to a concept where an entity, such as a company, community, or individual, goes beyond simply conserving water and actively contributes to the sustainable management and restoration of water resources. This involves implementing practices and technologies that reduce water consumption, improve water quality, and enhance water availability. The goal of being water positive is to leave a positive impact on water ecosystems and ensure that more water is conserved and restored than is used or depleted.”.
Water Positive through Nature-Based Solutions refers to the practice of not only conserving and efficiently using water but also enhancing the natural processes that support water sustainability. This involves the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) such as restoring wetlands, using sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), enhancing groundwater recharge, and promoting biodiversity. By mimicking or utilizing natural processes, these solutions aim to improve water availability, quality, and resilience against water-related disasters. The ultimate goal is to contribute more to water ecosystems than what is consumed, ensuring a net positive impact on water resources.
Water Positive through Water Purification refers to achieving a net positive impact on water resources by utilizing advanced water purification technologies. This approach focuses on restoring water resources by ensuring that purified water is of high quality, regardless of its source. Key processes include desalination, water reuse, and water remediation, which transform previously unusable water sources like seawater and wastewater into valuable resources. Additionally, recovery, remediation, and environmental decontamination play crucial roles in addressing contaminated water sources. These technologies have become more energy-efficient and cost-effective, making them sustainable solutions to mitigate water scarcity and climate change. Proper planning, facility design, discharge management strategies, and the integration of renewable energy are essential to minimize environmental impacts. By continuously innovating and committing to sustainability, desalination, water reuse, and remediation can significantly enhance water security and resilience to drought and climate impacts on freshwater resources.
As it can be observed from the definition, water positive aims to restore water resources, thus leaving a positive impact on the water ecosystems. The focus should be on the quality of purified water, not on the source. Desalination and water reuse are two processes that are currently used to achieve this goal and when they are implemented correctly and according to the international standards, they are certainly sustainable activities to mitigate water scarcity and climate change.
Both desalination and water reuse allow us to tap into previously unusable water sources, such as seawater and wastewater. The technologies have advanced remarkably in recent decades, becoming more energy efficient and cost effective. With proper planning and management, desalination and reuse can be part of a sustainable approach to ensuring water security in a water-stressed world. There are still environmental impacts to consider, but these can be mitigated through careful facility design, discharges management strategies, and integrating renewable energy. With continued innovation and commitment to sustainability, desalination and water reuse can be truly transformative in building resilience to drought and climate impacts on freshwater resources.
How to become Water Positive?
The corporations leading this initiative have focused on several avenues to become water positive, such as watershed restoration projects, including reforestation, groundwater recharge, non-revenue water reduction, wetland conservation, and rivers cleaning. Others have financed access to drinking water and sanitation for communities in need (SDG 6) or supported sustainable agriculture practices.
As can be seen from the definition, being water positive aims to restore water resources, thus leaving a positive impact on global water resources. Water purification offers a renewable and sustainable source of high-purity water, which will allow industries to plan their replenishment strategies effectively.
Two processes that will become great allies for these companies are desalination and water reuse, which will allow us to take advantage of previously unusable water sources, such as seawater and wastewater. These technologies have advanced significantly in recent decades, becoming more energy-efficient and cost-effective. With proper planning and management, desalination and reuse can be part of a sustainable approach to ensuring water security in a water-scarce world. While there are still environmental impacts to consider, these can be mitigated through careful facility design, discharge management strategies, and the integration of renewable energy. With continued innovation and commitment to sustainability, desalination and water reuse can be truly transformative in building resilience to drought and the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources.
Although companies today are focused on building resilience for their own operations and the communities and ecosystems in which they operate, the next step we must consider is one of the most significant environmental impacts to which we have not paid sufficient attention: the Water Footprint Trade. Just as we are currently concerned about having a positive impact in the basins where we operate, we must also take responsibility for the basins from which we import virtual water through the inputs produced in areas of high water stress.
By measuring the water footprint, depending on the standard used, companies can trace their water footprint and plan their strategy accordingly. The approach we are working on is reminiscent of the carbon credit market. However, instead of offsetting CO2 emissions, the system offsets the water footprint. It is vital to understand the distinctions between the two: while carbon offsetting deals with gases and is consistent regardless of where the gas is emitted, water offsetting influences myriad considerations. These include the water footprint, water footprint trade, local water scarcity, and the associated social, economic, and environmental implications.
While the model is still in full development, planned to be completed by the end of 2025, it could work as follows: A country that exports thousands of tons of water as virtual water in its products, including a significant amount of water from wells, a non-renewable resource, faces a challenge as this water does not return to the country. However, it is necessary to continue exporting to maintain a healthy economy. The initiative proposes that companies located in regions with high water availability, which have imported water-intensive products from such countries, offset their water footprint at the source. This is known as creating a positive impact. If they offset their water footprint in an area with excess resources, they would be limited to achieving water balance, without generating any significant social or economic impact.
Given the many advances in our society, much of our anthropogenic impact comes from the same technology that fueled our evolution. It is now imperative to harness this technology for the benefit of nature. As we continue to evolve, we must also commit to improving our planet.