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10 best water footprint consulting firms for companies

Updated on
July 19, 2025

These are the 10 best water footprint consultancies for companies in 2025:

  1. Dcycle
  2. EcoMetrics
  3. Agua360
  4. Sustainaqua
  5. BlueTrace
  6. HydroCheck
  7. ClearWater Consulting
  8. AquaMetric
  9. ZeroDrop
  10. FlowImpact

Today, water footprint consulting for companies is no longer just for specific sectors or industrial giants. Any company that wants to stay competitive needs to know how much water it uses, where, and why.

Every stage of your value chain has an impact, and if you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it. The goal isn’t perfection, but to have clear data to make smarter decisions.

Regulations require it, clients value it, and investors ask for it.
Staying out of this conversation is not an option if you want to grow and be in the markets that matter.

In this article, we’ll see why it’s so important to measure your water footprint, how to do it without getting lost in the process, and what real benefits you can achieve with a practical and well-structured approach.

The 10 Best Water Footprint Consulting Firms for Companies

1. Dcycle

Dcycle is not a consultancy nor an auditing firm. It is a solution designed for companies that need to measure, manage, and communicate their impact clearly, without wasting time or depending on third parties at every step.

They collect all your ESG data and translate it into any format you need: CSRD, EINF, SBTi, ISO 14046, Taxonomy, or whatever comes next.

Everything from a single platform, so you don’t get tangled up with different tools or parallel processes.

Their approach? Practical and direct. They don’t believe in endless diagnostics or presentations just for show.

What matters here is to have reliable, up-to-date, and useful data for decisions that truly impact your business.

What do they offer?

  • Direct connection with your systems: ERP, spreadsheets, databases, etc.

  • Clear visualization of your water footprint, with no detours.

  • Automated reports tailored to every regulation.

  • Reduction of time and effort in data collection.

  • Ongoing tracking so you are always up to date with your ESG goals.

If you don’t measure, you can’t improve. If you don’t improve, your business falls behind. With Dcycle, making sustainability a competitive advantage is easier than it seems.

2. EcoMetrics

EcoMetrics focuses on technical analysis and specific studies of water consumption. Their value lies in technical depth, although that implies longer processes, often lacking agility.

They work well with complex industrial sectors, but require a significant investment in time and team to integrate their reports into daily operations.

What do they usually offer?

  • Detailed water life cycle studies.

  • Reports for regulations such as ISO 14046.

  • Recommendations to reduce consumption.

Ideal if you want a deep technical approach, but less recommended if you need agility and immediate results.

3. Agua360

Agua360 offers water analysis services focused on industrial operations. Their strength lies in specific projects, focusing on water consumption efficiency and risk control.

They do not have their own technological integration, so they depend on your internal capacity to collect and manage ESG data.

Their services include:

  • Specific diagnostics by plant or location.

  • Advice to comply with local and international regulations.

  • Proposals for operational optimization related to water use.

A good option if your operation is very localized, but limited in scalability if you have multiple sites or complex supply chains.

4. Sustainaqua

Sustainaqua offers technical support to understand and improve the water footprint.

They are known for their personalized approach, but they operate under classic consulting models, which can lead to long-term dependence.

Their strengths include:

  • Internal training on water management.

  • Support for environmental certifications.

  • Technical reports with strong analytical depth.

A useful alternative if you need to train your team, although less efficient if you want quick or automated results.

5. BlueTrace

BlueTrace combines water impact analysis with social and governance indicators. Their approach is more comprehensive, providing context, but may become too complex if you just need to measure your water footprint.

They offer reporting packages for investors, but do not have their own automated data collection system.

What can you expect from them?

  • ESG evaluations focused on water and communities.

  • Multi-stakeholder approach (clients, suppliers, investors).

  • Recommendations aligned with global standards.

Recommended if your ESG strategy seeks social impact, but less useful if you need technical precision and control over your water footprint.

6. HydroCheck

HydroCheck specializes in specific diagnostics on water use. Their model is more classic, focusing on in-person reports and audits.

They do not offer data digitalization or continuous tracking, making their results highly dependent on the client’s collaboration.

What do they do well?

  • Detailed technical studies by facility.

  • Compliance reports for local regulations.

  • Leak diagnosis and savings opportunities.

A solid option to review specific facilities, though not very flexible if you need something scalable or centralized.

7. ClearWater Consulting

ClearWater offers a general consulting approach, with ESG services that include the water footprint as just one part of the package.

They are not water specialists, so their value depends on the scope of the project. If you only want to measure and manage your water footprint, they might not be enough.

Typical services:

  • Complete ESG reports for corporate reporting.

  • Regulatory compliance support.

  • Generalist strategic advice.

Recommended if you need broad support, but not if you want precision and agility only for the water component.

8. AquaMetric

AquaMetric has an academic and technical approach, with a strong presence in sectors like mining or agribusiness.

Their proposal is based on complex methodologies, so it’s not ideal for companies seeking speed or automation.

What do they offer?

  • Predictive models for water availability and consumption.

  • Water risk studies.

  • Advice for water permits.

Useful if you operate in areas with water stress or high legal requirements, but might be excessive for simpler sectors.

9. ZeroDrop

ZeroDrop is committed to a model of impact reduction rather than pure measurement.

They help design saving strategies, but do not offer their own calculation systems or automation.

Typical services:

  • Consumption and efficiency diagnostics.

  • Water use reduction campaigns.

  • Investment recommendations in saving technology.

A good choice if your issue is excessive consumption, but not enough if you need to meet ESG standards.

10. FlowImpact

FlowImpact is a young consulting firm that combines data analysis and sustainability.

Though just starting, their digital approach is promising, especially if you seek technical support with some technology.

What do they offer now?

  • Basic dashboards with water data.

  • Customized reports.

  • Support for ESG certifications.

They don’t have a robust solution yet, but might be interesting for small companies wanting to start measuring.

Why Hire a Water Footprint Consultancy for Companies

What Does a Water Footprint Consultancy Actually Do

A water footprint consultancy helps you understand how much water you are using, where, and for what purpose.

It sounds basic, but in many companies, that data simply does not exist or is scattered across departments and formats.

The first step is to map your value chain. This means identifying all the points where water is used: production, raw materials, transport, auxiliary services.

Anything involving water use, directly or indirectly, is included in the analysis.

After that, they turn this information into clear numbers: consumed volumes, areas of greatest impact, critical points where water use can become a risk or an opportunity for improvement.

And what’s the point of all this? To make decisions with real data.

Knowing if we can reduce consumption without affecting operations, switch to suppliers with more efficient water use, or adapt processes to comply with regulations that require us to measure this impact.

A consultancy can also help generate reports. If you need to present data to investors, clients, or comply with frameworks like ISO 14046, CSRD, or SBTi, they usually prepare this content.

But this is where we at Dcycle have a clear advantage.

At Dcycle, we are not a consultancy, we are a solution for companies. That means we collect your data once, organize it, and automatically transform it into the formats you need.

This saves you time, mistakes, and external dependency.

Measuring the water footprint is not symbolic, it’s a lever to reduce costs, access new markets, and improve your position regarding increasingly demanding regulations. If you don’t do it, your competitors will.

And if you don’t know where to start, it’s better to do it with a solution that simplifies the process and turns it into a strategic asset, not another headache.

6 Reasons to Work with a Specialized Water Footprint Consultancy

1. Process Optimization and Efficient Water Use

Measuring water usage properly allows you to adjust what truly matters.

Every liter counts, and when you identify critical points, you can reduce consumption without compromising operations.

It’s not about doing less, but about doing it better.

A specialized consultancy helps you see where you’re losing water (and money), and how to fix it.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Anticipating Future Regulations

Regulations are no longer optional.

Each year there are more requirements to measure and report water usage, and failure to comply can put you out of the market.

A consultancy guides you to comply with current frameworks and prepares you for those to come, such as CSRD or ISO 14046.

3. Cost Reduction and Improved ESG Performance

Lower consumption means lower costs.

Measuring your water footprint helps you detect inefficiencies which, if corrected, have a direct impact on your bottom line.

Additionally, you improve your ESG indicators, which now matter in tenders, financing, and purchasing decisions.

4. Identification of Water Risks Across the Entire Supply Chain

The problem isn’t always internal.
Often, the highest consumption occurs in suppliers, transportation, or external processes.

A specialized consultancy lets you map the entire chain, understand risks, and make smarter decisions based on data.

5. Preparation for Audits, Reports, and Certifications

Sooner or later, someone will ask you for data about your water use.
Whether it’s a client, a certification, or an investor, you’ll need clear, well-structured data.

With a consultancy, you prepare everything necessary to pass audits without surprises, generate solid reports, and comply with any certification required.

6. Enhanced Corporate Reputation and Attraction of Sustainable Investment

Your impact is no longer measured only in profits.

More and more, what you do in sustainability shapes how clients, partners, and markets perceive you.

When you manage your water footprint well, you improve your positioning and open doors to financing, partnerships, and projects seeking companies with a long-term vision.

Our approach at Dcycle? That you don’t depend on external consultancies.

We are a solution for companies, we collect your data once and adapt it to all your ESG use cases. Easy, fast, and without complications.

4 Common Challenges When Managing the Water Footprint Without Consultancy

1. Lack of Reliable and Well-Structured Data

Trying to measure water use without a solid database is a waste of time.

Most companies don’t have information well organized, and when trying to calculate without help, the results are often inaccurate or incomplete.

Without reliable data, there are no valid decisions.

This can lead to poor investments, wrong priorities, or unknowingly failing to comply with regulations.

2. Lack of Knowledge of Applicable Methodologies and Regulations

Knowing what to measure and how to measure it is key.

But without the right technical knowledge, it’s easy to use a methodology that doesn’t work for your needs.

Each regulation has its own requirements, and if you don’t know them, you could end up creating reports that don’t meet what will be asked of you.

3. Wasting Time and Duplicating Efforts

When there’s no clear structure, everything becomes manual.

Looking for data in different departments, merging spreadsheets, reviewing consumption – it’s a mess that eats up time and resources.

Also, without an integrated system, you end up repeating tasks every time a different report is needed.

Everything slows down, reducing your responsiveness.

4. Difficulty Generating Useful and Auditable Reports

It’s not enough to have data, you must know how to present it.

If it’s not organized from the start, generating reports for investors, clients, or audits becomes a nightmare.

Often, at the end of the process, you must redo everything to comply with a specific regulation or adapt to a new standard.

That means more work, higher cost, and less agility.

The alternative? Make it easy from the beginning.

At Dcycle we’re not auditors or consultants, we’re a solution for companies wanting to collect, manage, and transform their ESG data into something useful.

We connect to your data sources and automate the entire process.

This way, you can work on your water footprint (and everything else) without falling into these errors and without wasting time on what doesn’t add value.

Our Vision as ESG and Water Management Specialists

What is the Water Footprint Consulting Process Step by Step

Measuring water impact isn’t just filling in boxes.

We need a clear, structured, and useful process to make decisions that truly help the company.

Here’s how we work step by step from a practical, results-focused perspective.

Step 1: Initial Diagnosis of Water Consumption and Sources

The first step is knowing what water you use, how much, and for what.

We analyze all water inputs in your operation: public supply, wells, direct collection, or external suppliers.

We identify the points of highest consumption, and cross-reference this data with your operational processes to understand the real context of use.

Step 2: Defining Operational and Organizational Boundaries

We can’t measure everything, but we can measure what matters.
We define which facilities, processes, and areas should be included in the analysis.

This avoids wasting time on irrelevant data and ensures the measurement is useful for frameworks like CSRD, ISO 14046, or whatever is required.

Step 3: Selecting Appropriate Methodologies (ISO, WFN, GRI, etc.)

Each case requires its own methodology.
A financial reporting analysis is not the same as an operational or environmental one.

We select the standard that fits your objective: whether it’s an audit, an ESG report, or simply understanding your impact to improve processes.

Step 4: Data Collection and Analysis to Establish the Footprint

Here’s where it gets messy if not done properly.

We collect data from consumption, production, logistics, and suppliers, and organize it in a model that allows you to calculate your real water footprint.

The analysis includes both direct and indirect use, since the impact is not only in what you do, but in your entire chain.

Step 5: Action Plan Design and ESG Reporting

Measuring without acting is useless.

With clear data, we design a realistic plan to reduce your footprint, optimize processes, and comply with the applicable regulations.

We also prepare reports tailored to your use cases, whether it’s EINF, SBTi, Taxonomy, or whatever market or management requires.

At Dcycle, we don’t follow this process as external consultants.

We are a solution for companies that digitizes, automates, and translates all these steps in a practical platform.

We collect your data just once and transform it into value for any ESG use.

No duplicated tasks, no dependencies, and without losing focus on what really matters: making your business more competitive.

How to Choose a Water Footprint Consultancy Aligned with Your Strategy

Sector Experience and Results-Focused Approach

Not all sectors have the same water challenges.
That’s why we need a team that understands our operations, processes, and particularities.

Experience in our sector makes a difference.
We don’t want theory, we want solutions that work and results we can use.

Ability to Integrate with Digital ESG Platforms

Measure once and reuse the data in all our reports – that’s true efficiency.

If a consultancy can’t work with your systems or platforms, the process becomes slow and inefficient.

We need integration, not dependency.

If it can’t connect with our digital solutions, everything gets more complicated than necessary.

Deep Knowledge of International Standards (ISO, CSRD, etc.)

Every standard has its rules.

It’s not enough to measure water, you must do it in a way that fits the regulatory frameworks.

The consultancy you choose should handle these regulations in detail: CSRD, ISO 14046, SBTi...

If they don’t understand each one, their reports won’t be useful.

Data-Based Methodology and Automation

We can’t afford to work blindly.
An effective consultancy must rely on real, updated, and traceable data.

And if it automates processes, even better – that means fewer errors, more speed, and management that doesn’t waste your time.

Strategic Advice and Ongoing Support

Measuring is just the first step.

We need a clear plan to reduce impact, comply with requirements, and use that data in our business strategy.

The consultancy should be a long-term partner, not someone who delivers a report and disappears.

Ongoing support is what turns data into value.

What Standards and Frameworks Do Water Footprint Consultancies Use

Not all consultancies use the same methodologies, so it’s important to know which standards they work with and whether they align with your ESG objectives.

Here are some of the most common ones:

  • ISO 14046: The key standard for evaluating the water footprint across the entire life cycle of a product or process.

  • Water Footprint Network (WFN): A method that differentiates between types of water: blue (extracted), green (rainwater), and grey (polluted water).

  • GRI 303: A benchmark standard for reporting water and effluent management in ESG reports.

  • ESG Indicators: Ideally, all analysis should connect with your KPIs for financial reporting and sustainability.

At Dcycle, we are clear that data only serves if it can be used.

That’s why we are not consultants or auditors; we are a solution for companies that collects, organizes, and adapts your ESG information for any need. No confusion, no duplication, and without losing focus.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Water Footprint Consultancy

Before Starting ESG Transformation Processes

If you are starting to work on sustainability, this is one of the first steps.

Measuring correctly from the beginning prevents mistakes, saves time, and allows you to build a solid strategy with real data.

Without this starting point, everything else is incomplete.
There’s no sense in launching action plans if you don’t know your real water impact.

When Preparing for Audits or Regulatory Reports

When it’s time to report, you need everything clear, organized, and defensible.

Whether for an audit, certification, or to comply with regulations such as CSRD or ISO 14046, a consultancy can help you translate your data into valid information.

But beware: if you wait until the last minute, you will arrive late and stressed.

If You Operate in Sectors with High Water Demand

Industry, food, textiles, energy… If you are in a sector where water is key, measuring your water footprint is not optional, it’s a matter of competitiveness.

Water-related risks are already impacting business.
Staying out of the analysis means losing visibility and flexibility.

When Seeking to Reduce Operating Costs Related to Water

Many times, it’s not that we use too much water, it’s that we don’t know where it goes.
That translates into inefficiencies we could avoid.

Good measurement helps identify leaks, overcosts, and improvement points.
This is not just about environmental impact; it’s about reducing unnecessary expenses.

Why Dcycle is the Leading ESG Solution for Water Measurement and Management

Actually, we are not a consultancy. At Dcycle, we are a solution for companies that want to measure and manage their ESG footprint (including water) in a practical, agile, and connected way.

We collect all your information once, organize it, and automatically transform it for any use: CSRD, SBTi, EINF, Taxonomy, ISO, or whatever you need.

You are not dependent on endless reports or manual processes. We connect with your data, automate the calculation, and turn it into strategic value for your business.

This isn’t about doing something symbolic, it’s about measuring correctly, acting fast, and using that information to grow, comply, and stand out in the market.

If you don’t do it, others are already doing it.

In addition to water measurement, many companies are now aligning their environmental strategies with sustainable finance frameworks that integrate sustainability into financial decision-making, investment, and access to capital. 

Incorporating these frameworks into your strategy can further strengthen your positioning in demanding markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the Difference Between Water Footprint Consulting and Auditing

Consulting helps you understand and improve your water impact.
They guide you through analysis, decision-making, and defining an action plan.

Auditing is an external validation. It checks that your data and processes comply with a specific standard, but does not guide or help you optimize anything.

How Long Does a Water Footprint Consulting Project Take

It depends on the approach.
A traditional consultancy can take weeks or even months.

With digital solutions, this time is drastically reduced.
If the data is available, the analysis can be completed in days.

What really slows down the process is the lack of structured information.

What Types of Companies Need This Kind of Consulting

Any company using water in its direct or indirect operations. From intensive industries to service companies with complex supply chains. If there is water consumption, there is impact, just like with your Carbon Footprint.

If there is water consumption, there is impact.

And if there is impact, it is worth measuring, especially if you want to comply with regulations, cut costs, or improve your market positioning.

Can I Integrate the Results with My ESG Reporting Systems

Yes, and you should do it.

There’s no sense in having data in silos. The ideal is for water footprint information to connect with your ESG reports: EINF, CSRD, SBTi, Taxonomy…

This way, you leverage the work once and reuse it in every format.

With Dcycle, this is automatic.
We collect your data and translate it into the language required by each standard.

What Digital Tools Are Used in Consulting

It depends on the provider.
Some work with spreadsheets and manual systems.
Others use platforms that automate the whole process.

In our case, we are not a traditional consultancy.

At Dcycle, we are a digital solution that integrates data, analyzes it, and generates ready-to-use ESG reports.

No duplicated processes, no endless reports, no wasted time on non-value tasks.
That is how we understand water impact measurement today.

Take control of your ESG data today.
Take control of your ESG data today.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Can You Calculate a Product’s Carbon Footprint?

Carbon footprint calculation analyzes all emissions generated throughout a product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and disposal.

The most recognized methodologies are:

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • ISO 14067
  • PAS 2050

Digital tools like Dcycle simplify the process, providing accurate and actionable insights.

What Are the Most Recognized Certifications?
  • ISO 14067 – Defines carbon footprint measurement for products.
  • EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) – Environmental impact based on LCA.
  • Cradle to Cradle (C2C) – Evaluates sustainability and circularity.
  • LEED & BREEAM – Certifications for sustainable buildings.
Which Industries Have the Highest Carbon Footprint?
  • Construction – High emissions from cement and steel.
  • Textile – Intense water usage and fiber production emissions.
  • Food Industry – Large-scale agriculture and transportation impact.
  • Transportation – Fossil fuel dependency in vehicles and aviation.
How Can Companies Reduce Product Carbon Footprints?
  • Use recycled or low-emission materials.
  • Optimize production processes to cut energy use.
  • Shift to renewable energy sources.
  • Improve transportation and logistics to reduce emissions.
Is Carbon Reduction Expensive?

Some strategies require initial investment, but long-term benefits outweigh costs.

  • Energy efficiency lowers operational expenses.
  • Material reuse and recycling reduces procurement costs.
  • Sustainability certifications open new business opportunities.

Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.