Variability in water flow, withdrawal, and water quality over time

Unit

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: Cubic meters (m³) per season, Milligrams per liter (mg/l)

Indicator

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: Water consumption and withdrawal

Metric type

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: Pressure

Framework alignment notes

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ISO 14046 - seasonal changes in water flows, water withdrawal and release or changes in water quality, when relevant

Target example
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[Company name] will record its variability in water flow, withdrawal and water quality over time. [Company name] will reduce its water withdrawal in [basin] by [target amount in ML/year] by [target year].

Target source: WBCSD target template

Metric assessment

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Relevance: High
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Feasibility: Low
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Additional Metric Notes
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ACT-D stage
Assess

Maturity stage
Advancing

Metric Contribution to Action
Tracking variability over time helps identify trends and supports adaptive management to reduce water use.

Observations, Successes and Challenges

  • Variability in usage doesn’t necessarily indicate unsustainable practices unless tied to overuse during critical periods.
  • Potential for misinterpretation, e.g., A company with stable but high water usage might look better than one with fluctuating but ultimately lower water use.
  • External factors influence variability, e.g., weather, supply chain disruptions, or regulatory changes

Related actions

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Reduce water use and wastage, particularly in water-stressed areas

Reduce water use and wastage, particularly in water-stressed areas

Description