Introduction

Water is central to life and a cornerstone of sustainability, recognised globally through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. As populations grow and climate challenges intensify, managing water sustainably is more critical than ever. Beyond its intrinsic value as a finite resource, water usage carries a significant but often overlooked environmental cost—the carbon emissions generated from extracting, treating, and distributing it.

Several factors contribute to this, from a focus on direct emissions to a lack of awareness about the energy demands of water management.

Focus on Direct Emissions: Sustainability efforts often prioritise energy use, transportation, and industrial emissions, leaving water’s indirect carbon footprint unnoticed.

Lack of Awareness: Many businesses and consumers are unaware of the energy required to extract, treat, and distribute water and its associated emissions.

Complexity of Water Systems: The intricate processes involved in water management make it difficult to quantify and address its carbon impact easily.

Invisibility of Energy Use: Water-related emissions are often linked to utility companies rather than directly to the end-user, leading to less focus on their environmental costs.

Historical Oversight: Water has been viewed as a low-cost or free resource, and sustainability efforts have historically focused on energy or waste reduction rather than water’s carbon impact.

This blog explores the hidden connection between water usage and its carbon footprint, highlighting how energy-intensive processes within the water sector contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By understanding this link, we can identify actionable steps to conserve water and reduce emissions, helping to achieve broader sustainability goals. Tackling the carbon footprint of water isn’t just about resource efficiency—it’s about aligning with global climate targets and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

The Overlooked Carbon Footprint of Water Usage

Water is a vital resource, but its carbon footprint is often underestimated. Beyond its value, the energy required to extract, treat, and distribute water significantly impacts greenhouse gas emissions. According to UK Government data, every cubic metre of water treated and supplied produces approximately 0.378 kilograms of CO₂.

In England and Wales, over 20 privately owned water and wastewater utilities collectively consume an estimated 2–3% of the national energy supply, making the water sector the fourth most energy-intensive industry. The energy-intensive nature of water management—from pumping vast quantities to treating it for safe use—relies heavily on carbon-emitting energy sources, amplifying its environmental footprint.

This hidden impact rarely features in discussions about sustainability, despite its importance.

How Water Monitoring and Data Can Tackle Emissions from Water Usage

Effective water monitoring and data analytics can transform efforts to reduce the carbon footprint linked to water usage. By leveraging real-time insights and advanced technologies, organisations can identify inefficiencies and implement targeted solutions. Key benefits include:

• Leak Detection and Prevention: Early identification of leaks reduces unnecessary water treatment and pumping, directly cutting energy use and associated carbon emissions.
• Optimised Water Usage: Detailed data allows businesses to pinpoint excessive consumption and implement conservation measures, reducing both water waste and energy demand.
• Energy-Efficient Operations: Monitoring helps utilities and businesses optimise pumping schedules, avoid energy-intensive peak times, and minimise emissions.
• Sustainability Reporting: Data-driven insights enable organisations to track water-related carbon footprints and align with net-zero goals.
• Enhanced Infrastructure Planning: Continuous data helps prioritise upgrades to agin systems, reducing energy loss and improving efficiency.

By integrating water monitoring systems, organisations can make informed decisions, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute meaningfully to tackling climate change.

A Case for Action: Linking Water Monitoring to Carbon Emission Reductions

A leading university partnered with us to enhance water management across 66 locations within its various facilities and buildings in a major city. Using our water monitoring service, we conducted proactive monitoring and subsequent surveys to identify inefficiencies in the system that were contributing to water wastage. With actionable data in hand, the university implemented targeted measures to address the issues, significantly reducing the constant flow of water being wasted. This collaborative effort led to an impressive 54.1% reduction in water wastage, with consumption dropping from 2,632 cubic metres to 1,209 cubic metres, showcasing a substantial improvement in resource efficiency.

The following graph illustrates the carbon impact of this reduction, showing how cutting water usage through proactive water monitoring not only conserves a valuable resource but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This case study highlights how data-driven water management can deliver measurable environmental benefits while supporting broader sustainability goals.

In the case of a university, each site can exhibit varying levels of efficiency, and our system provides the tools to monitor these variations. This enables users to not only identify water wastage but also understand the corresponding carbon emissions for each location, allowing targeted interventions and more effective resource management. The image below shows the reduction in carbon emissions at a specific location of the university.

Closing Notes

In conclusion, while water is a crucial resource, the environmental cost of its usage—especially the carbon emissions associated with its extraction, treatment, and distribution—is often overlooked. By recognising the connection between water usage and its carbon footprint, organisations can take proactive steps to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Water monitoring and data analytics play a vital role in this process, enabling real-time insights that help identify inefficiencies, optimise consumption, and ultimately reduce emissions. The case study with the university demonstrates how targeted actions, driven by data, can lead to significant reductions in both water usage and carbon impact. As the world faces climate challenges, integrating water efficiency into sustainability strategies will be key to meeting global climate targets and ensuring a sustainable future.