For nearly two decades, organizations with a global footprint of manufacturing facilities have relied on source water vulnerability assessments (SVAs) to drive smarter water use and efficiency at individual sites. But the true power of SVAs lies in their ability to unlock opportunities that extend far beyond site-level improvements.
When approached with a broader perspective, SVAs are foundational elements for scaling water security outcomes across entire watersheds or catchments. Organizations can use these thorough assessments of risk at a particular site to better plan for the future, like informing investment decisions, addressing water-related challenges, and building long-term resilience.
“Source water vulnerability assessments certainly allow organizations to see a comprehensive view of water risk at the facility level,” said Peter Penning, Jr., a sustainability analyst at SWCA. “But when conducted with the big picture in mind, SVAs can also equip organizations with the ability to forecast future water stress levels, identify stakeholder engagement opportunities, make informed investment decisions, and implement more meaningful water security initiatives.”
GLOBAL WATER SECURITY CHALLENGES
Why this matters: water security is one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century. According to UNICEF, more than 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, undermining health, education, and economic opportunities worldwide. The United Nations predicts that by 2030, almost half the global population will live in water-stressed areas. As water resources decrease, conflicts over access to clean water are expected to intensify.
The global water crisis is multifaceted, encompassing both scarcity and access. While water may be available in certain regions, access could be unreliable, unaffordable, or unsafe. Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward basin-level solutions, where companies and communities can make tangible impacts on water availability, quality, and accessibility.
SVAs play a key role in this effort by identifying risks and guiding investments to build resilience against future water security challenges.
Magdalena River, Colombia. SWCA sustainability experts have conducted source water vulnerability studies in the Magdalena River basin to support corporate investments in local water funds that mitigate water security challenges.
WHAT ARE SOURCE WATER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS?
SVAs tell the water story. They explore risks related to the reliability, quality, and distribution of source water. They analyze the stakeholders in the region that could become potential partners in water stewardship. They delve into legislation governing the use and discharge of water. SVA maps and graphs provide snapshots of the aquifer, geology and hydrogeology, ecologically sensitive areas, climate, and other data. Finally, in addition to presenting vulnerabilities, an SVA provides mitigation strategies and water replenishment opportunities.
Aligned with the Science Based Targets Network and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, SVAs crafted by SWCA’s sustainability experts meet disclosure requirements while creating actionable pathways to water security and business continuity.
“If you want to understand the risk to your business when it comes to water, source water vulnerability assessments are the way to do it,” said Francisco Cordero, a senior sustainability consultant at SWCA. “While there are similarities and efficiencies to developing these SVAs, every facility and every community is unique, and understanding these nuances helps us craft solutions that align with their specific needs and challenges.”
By providing a clear indication of water scarcity in the area, organizations gain the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions that will reduce risks and improve water management. Additionally, they can connect water stewardship initiatives to watershed-level impacts and benefit the communities around them.
FROM FACILITY-LEVEL TO WATERSHED-WIDE WATER SECURITY
Yamuna River, India. SWCA sustainability experts have conducted basin analyses to support corporate investments in water stewardship in the Yamuna River basin.As SVAs and their requirements have evolved, they have become essential tools for organizations seeking to scale their water stewardship efforts. Instead of focusing solely on on-site water efficiency, companies now use SVAs to:
- Conduct water basin diagnostics to assess overall water availability and competing demands from agriculture, industry, and municipalities.
- Leverage hydrogeological studies to evaluate groundwater sustainability and aquifer health.
- Identify water balancing projects such as wetland restoration, reforestation, or watershed conservation efforts that replenish local water sources.
- Develop collective action strategies by engaging stakeholders, local communities, and policymakers to address shared water challenges.
For example, SWCA’s approach integrates remote sensing and satellite imagery with cloud-based analytics, allowing companies to monitor water stress and measure the impact of conservation initiatives with greater accuracy.
“When we talk about doing water balancing projects, it’s not enough to simply do the project and include how much water an organization saved in its watershed within its annual report,” said Penning, Jr. “That’s only one part of it. Now the company needs to use that success and reputational capital to continue building partnerships, inform policy, develop integrated water management plans, strengthen resilience, and create even more meaningful impacts.”
STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
A key part of creating even more meaningful impacts is strengthening relationships with the local community. Listening to the locals’ perspectives and understanding what matters most to them only helps build the organization’s role within the community and its broader reputation.
It’s important for organizations to gain independent, data-driven, and objective recommendations to be able to better bridge connections with the local community. Through SVAs, SWCA’s sustainability experts equip clients with a better understanding of the local water situation, the values and views of the surrounding community, and potential measures the company can take to strengthen relationships with the local community.
These valuable insights convey how a company’s water use is perceived by surrounding communities and offer strategies to mitigate risks through proactive engagement. For instance, an SVA may provide recommendations on ways to strengthen relationships with the local community like:
- Partnering with local organizations on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives.
- Investing in community water access improvements.
- Collaborating with policymakers to drive regional water management solutions.
“At SWCA, we have a proven track record of successfully engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders — local communities, government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector partners — to foster collaboration and alignment around shared water resources challenges and solutions,” said Erica Gaddis, senior water resources technical director at SWCA. “Our expertise in the natural resources and water management space allows us to bring the right people together to develop and implement strategies that create meaningful, lasting impacts.”
DEVELOPING SOURCE WATER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS SINCE THEIR INCEPTION
SVAs have come a long way from their early role as facility-level optimization tools. Today, they are a critical steppingstone for businesses aiming to scale their water security efforts and make a meaningful impact on the watersheds they rely on. By leveraging data-driven insights, engaging key stakeholders, and pursuing collective action opportunities, companies can turn water risk into a leadership opportunity — one that benefits their operations, the communities they serve, and water security on a global scale.
SWCA’s consultants have conducted more than 400 SVAs over the past 20 years. With SWCA’s expertise, organizations can ensure their SVAs not only meet conformance standards but also contribute to long-term water resilience. Learn more about SWCA’s sustainability and management consulting and water resources services.