5 reasons why you should start measuring your water footprint today
What is a water footprint calculator and what is it for?
The most common ways to calculate the water footprint
What are the benefits for your company of measuring its water footprint?
Common challenges when calculating the water footprint (and how to address them)
How to integrate the water footprint into your ESG strategy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are the 5 reasons why you should start measuring your water footprint today:
1. Because what isn’t measured can’t be improved
2. Because water is already a strategic factor
3. Because you could lose bids or contracts if you don’t report
4. Because identifying inefficiencies can save you a lot of money
5. Because it positions you as a future-ready company
Measuring with a water footprint calculator is no longer just a technical matter.
It's a strategic decision. Every product, service or process we use consumes water, directly or indirectly.
And if we don’t measure it, we’re flying blind.
How much water are you really using?
We’re not just talking about visible water, but all the hidden water behind it: from raw material cultivation to transport and product use.
Knowing how much water you use lets you act.
And that translates to efficiency, savings and competitive advantage.
It's not just about complying with regulations.
It’s about not falling behind in a market that increasingly demands transparency.
Here’s why measuring your water footprint matters, how to do it properly, and what benefits you can gain by starting today.
If we don’t know how much water we’re using, there’s no way to optimize anything.
Every process has a water cost, and if we don’t measure it, that cost only goes up.
Measuring is the first step to making smart decisions and gaining real efficiency.
Access to water is no longer guaranteed.
Tensions are emerging in sectors and regions that never even considered it before.
The companies that realize this early are the ones making a difference.
More and more regulations and clients demand real data on water use.
Not having it affects your reputation, and can also close doors.
Losing opportunities by not measuring is a luxury we can no longer afford.
If you don’t know where you’re wasting water, you’re losing money without noticing.
Measuring allows you to detect leaks, excesses and quick improvement points.
The water footprint is not an expense, it’s an investment that pays for itself.
The rules are changing, and water use is a key issue.
Companies that act early and have data are the ones winning contracts and credibility.
Measuring today means moving forward tomorrow.
Not doing it means being left out of the game.
A water footprint calculator lets you know how much water you’re using in each part of your operation.
It’s not just a counter, it’s a strategic tool.
Knowing your water footprint is key if you want to optimize, report, and truly compete.
Measuring water consumption is no longer optional.
More and more regulations demand transparency in resource use.
And if we’re not keeping track, we won’t be able to meet market demands.
Knowing how much water we use helps us understand risks, reduce inefficiencies, and make better decisions.
It’s that simple. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about doing better than the rest.
Because water is a limited resource, and data on its use is becoming mandatory.
Companies that don’t measure will fall behind in bids, regulations and contracts.
The water footprint is now part of the full ESG performance picture.
And if you don’t have that information, you’re unlikely to join those who are already doing it well.
Also, it’s not just about direct consumption.
There are also indirect impacts that matter and carry weight.
Especially if we want to anticipate upcoming regulations like CSRD, ISOs or the Taxonomy.
This includes all the water entering your processes.
From production to maintenance or cleaning.
It’s important to have clear and updated records.
Without them, accurate calculation becomes very difficult.
Not everything happens inside your company.
The water used to make your raw materials also counts.
This includes your suppliers, especially if they belong to water-intensive sectors.
Measuring these impacts is key if we want a complete picture.
Consuming water in a water-scarce area is not the same as in one with abundance.
Location matters. A lot.
Also, not all sectors have the same water impact.
That’s why we need to adapt the calculation to our real context.
This helps avoid errors and take more precise steps.
These are the foundations if we want to measure rigorously and produce data that can be reported.
ISO 14046 is the most recognized international standard, while the Water Footprint Network approach is the most widely used in practice.
Both methodologies help us understand the real impact of water use.
And not just that, they also allow us to compare processes, products or regions, and make decisions based on clear data.
Doing it manually is unfeasible if we want accuracy and efficiency.
There are now digital solutions that automate the calculation, centralize information, and generate the reports required by each regulation.
These platforms don’t just save us time.
They also reduce errors and allow any team to work with ESG data without relying on endless Excel spreadsheets.
Still using spreadsheets? Bad idea.
The margin of error is high, and the time wasted is unjustifiable.
They also don’t adapt well to current demands from regulations like CSRD or the EU Taxonomy.
Without a reliable system, reporting becomes a mess, and you lose agility compared to those who already have it sorted.
More and more regulations require us to measure and justify water use.
From ISOs to EU directives, everything is pointing in the same direction.
Measuring correctly from the beginning prevents corrections and penalties later.
And lets you adapt your ESG strategy without racing against time.
If you don’t know where the water goes, you don’t know where you’re wasting money.
Measuring gives you real visibility, and that leads to more efficient processes.
With clear data, adjusting consumption, changing suppliers or redesigning processes becomes much easier.
And all of that has a direct impact on costs.
Some bids automatically exclude you if you can’t justify your water impact.
And it’s not a trend, it’s already happening.
Measuring your water footprint is a key to entry.
It positions you as a company ready to meet what new markets and clients demand.
The difference between being in or out of the market, in many cases, lies in the data you have.
And if your data is well measured, reported and aligned with your ESG goals, you’re several steps ahead.
It’s not about appearing responsible, it’s about having the data to prove it.
That makes all the difference compared to those who are still improvising.
The water footprint is not just another KPI. It’s critical information.
It helps us identify risks, set priorities, and decide more clearly where to act, especially if we also align our goals with initiatives like SBTI.
When data flows well, so do decisions.
And in sustainability, that’s what separates reactive companies from leaders.
The first obstacle is often getting the necessary data.
Many times, it’s scattered, incomplete or simply not being recorded.
Without reliable data, no calculation is valid.
What we need is to centralize information.
And that means working with all teams, from production to procurement, to get a clear picture.
Most emissions and water use don’t occur in our own facilities.
They come from the supply chain. And that’s where things get complicated.
Tracking these impacts requires traceability, collaboration with suppliers and digitalization.
And if we don’t do it, we’re leaving out a large part of the real impact.
Many teams don’t know where to start or don’t have the right tools.
And manual calculation is unrealistic if we want to scale or report seriously.
This is where the value of a specific technological solution comes in.
And we’re not talking about auditing or consulting.
We’re talking about a solution that handles it quickly and with reliable data.
In theory yes, but in practice it doesn’t make much sense.
Manual methods are slow, error-prone, and hard to scale.
A technological solution lets us save time, money and headaches.
Automating calculations, consolidating data and generating reports is what we need if we’re serious about our ESG strategy.
Regulatory frameworks aren’t barriers, they’re guides.
And if we measure correctly, we can use them to our advantage in the market, especially by aligning with sustainable finance frameworks that integrate water use as a key metric.
The water footprint fits directly into CSRD, the EU Taxonomy or ISO 14046, among others.
If you’re already collecting ESG data, adding this metric shouldn’t be a hassle.
More and more stakeholders demand clear and auditable metrics.
And the water footprint is one of those key metrics.
Including it in your ESG reports improves transparency and positions you in front of clients and investors.
It’s another step to show you’re not just talking, but actually measuring.
In Spain, reports such as the EINF have become increasingly relevant for companies looking to align with transparency standards and regulatory expectations around sustainability.
The data we share builds (or breaks) trust.
And when it comes to water, sensitivity is high.
Showing that we measure, understand and act on water use gives us real credibility.
With clients, investors, employees, and any stakeholder reviewing your ESG reports.
This is where most water is consumed, and where optimization potential is highest.
If we don’t know how much we’re using in each process, we’re missing opportunities.
Measuring accurately lets us adjust usage, change practices and reduce supply risks.
All without compromising quality or productivity.
Water isn’t just used in production, but also in transport.
From vehicle maintenance to cooling or cleaning processes.
If we have visibility here, we can make decisions that affect the entire cycle.
Sometimes, changing a logistics provider improves more than modifying an internal process.
A large part of the water impact is outside our walls.
The raw materials and suppliers we choose define the final outcome.
If we measure from the source, we improve the overall result.
And gain solid arguments to negotiate and choose better partners in the chain.
The water footprint is no longer just a technical topic, it’s a business card.
Having real data and showing it transparently builds trust and brand value.
Investors, clients and the media want to see clear metrics, not vague promises.
If what we show is well measured, it becomes a strong asset in communication.
At Dcycle, we’re not auditors or consultants.
We’re a solution for companies that want to measure, manage and report their ESG impact clearly and efficiently.
We help you gather all your data, analyze it, and turn it into reports aligned with any framework: CSRD, ISO 14046, Taxonomy, whatever you need.
We centralize all your ESG in one place, so you can stop fighting spreadsheets and start making decisions that matter.
If measuring your water footprint is a headache, it’s time to solve it.
With Dcycle, you work with reliable data, without complications, from a platform designed for your team.
It’s a solution that lets us know how much water we’re using in every part of our activity.
From production to suppliers, it helps us understand the real impact of our consumption.
And most importantly, it gives us the data we need to take action and improve, just as we would when managing our Carbon Footprint.
The blue water footprint refers to water extracted directly from sources like rivers or aquifers.
The green water footprint is rainwater, mainly used in agriculture.
The grey water footprint is the amount of water required to dilute pollutants and meet quality standards.
Industry, agriculture and food are the sectors with the highest water consumption.
But they’re not the only ones. Any company with intensive processes also has a relevant impact.
Measuring this impact is no longer exclusive to certain sectors.
It’s now a cross-cutting need.
It depends on the country, the sector, and the applicable regulations.
But what’s clear is that more and more regulatory frameworks are starting to require it.
Having the data ready now gives you room to adapt before it becomes mandatory.
There are specific solutions that allow you to automate the calculation and centralize the data.
Forget doing it manually.
If you want to scale and comply with regulations, you need to go digital.
The sooner you do it, the easier it will be to integrate this metric into your ESG strategy.
At Dcycle, we’re not auditors or consultants.
We’re a solution for companies that want to manage their ESG impact efficiently.
We gather all your data, analyze it, and turn it into reports tailored to your needs:
CSRD, ISO 14046, Taxonomy, or any other framework.
We centralize your water information in a platform that also covers your other ESG indicators.
So you work with real data, ready-to-go reports, and no unnecessary complications.
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Analisi del calcolo dell'impronta di carbonio tutte le emissioni generate durante il ciclo di vita di un prodotto, compresi l'estrazione, la produzione, il trasporto, l'uso e lo smaltimento delle materie prime.
Le metodologie più riconosciute sono:
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