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FEM 2025 - Water Use Level 3

  • Updated

Table of Contents

Watgroundelim

Have you eliminated (reduced more than 90%) the use of groundwater for your production processes? (Ref ID: watgroundelim)

Answer Yes if: The groundwater used in production processes was less than 10% of the total water used for production processes (from all sources) in the FEM reporting year. 

Answer Not Applicable if: Your facility does not use groundwater for production processes. 

Note: Production processes are defined as manufacturing processes used to make goods. This does not include groundwater use for domestic purposes (e.g., washrooms, food preparation, etc) or facility operational use (e.g., boilers).

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be asked the following sub question(s):

  • Describe the strategies used to achieve this. 

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that demonstrates the groundwater used in production processes in the FEM reporting year was less than 10% of the total water used for production processes (e.g., groundwater consumption tracking that shows how much of total groundwater is used for production vs. total production water usage, meter records, etc.)

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate they have taken action to eliminate or reduce (more than 90%) of groundwater that is used for production processes.

Technical Guidance

Excessive use of groundwater can have significant impacts on local water supply and availability. It can contribute to the depletion of local surface water sources (streams, lakes) and impact the capacity of aquifers to store water for future uses. Facilities should strive to eliminate the use of groundwater, when possible, to minimize these impacts and proactively strive to reduce overall water use to improve sustainability and environmental performance. 

Watgroundelim Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

Full Points: 

Documentation Required:

  • Documentation that demonstrates the groundwater used in production processes in the FEM reporting year was less than 10% of the total water used for production processes. This may include:
    • Groundwater consumption tracking that shows how much of total groundwater is used for production vs. total production water usage. 
    • Groundwater metering records.

Interview Questions to Ask:

  • Staff responsible for water management can explain how the facility tracks groundwater use in production as well as any actions the facility has taken to reduce or eliminate ground water use in production processes.  

Inspection - Things to Physically Look For: 

  • Observations onsite indicate that the reported amount of groundwater being used in production processes is consistent with the observed water use onsite. 

Partial Points: N/A

Watbluereducedemonstrate

Can your facility demonstrate you have reduced your overall absolute blue water use? (Ref ID: watbluereducedemonstrate)

Answer Yes if:  Your facility has reduced absolute blue water use (except rainwater) compared with your baseline.

Note: 

  • Absolute blue water use refers the total amount of blue water used at the facility over a given period of time (e.g., 15,000m3 per year)
  • Reductions in water use due to reductions in production volume should not be considered as improvements as this will not result in sustainable improvements. 

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be asked the following sub question(s):

  • How much has your facility reduced (%)? 
  • What is your baseline absolute quantity? 
  • Describe the strategies used to achieve this improvement. 

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that supports a reduction in absolute blue water use was achieved and that the reduction was related to specific actions taken by the facility to reduce water use (e.g., water consumption data and baselines, evidence of process modifications, new equipment or work practices that resulted in improvements). 

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate that they have reduced absolute blue water use at the facility.

Technical Guidance:

Reducing absolute blue water use at a facility means that less water in total is being used by the facility which can help reduce water stress and scarcity in the community and regions they operate. This should be achieved through driving improvements in water use efficiency to reduce the amount of water needed to operate the facility.

When evaluating your water use reductions, be sure to do the following:

  • Review the water source data and aggregated total to ensure the data and any automated calculations are accurate.
  • Review the actions taken to make improvements and determine if they have resulted in measurable improvements by comparing the data with historical water use data to determine the improvement quantity. Note: Historical data accuracy should also be verified.
    • For example: Installation of a steam condensate recovery system produced a 2% year over year reduction in absolute blue water consumption. This was measured using sub meters installed in the condensate recovery system and the site’s overall blue water use data.

Reporting Improvements in Higg FEM:

Do:

  • Review the improvement data to ensure all aspects noted above are covered and that the information is accurate.
  • Input the percent (%) change in the water use from the baseline year. (e.g., 5 for a 5% reduction)
  • Provide sufficient details in the “Describe the strategies used to achieve this improvement:” field (e.g., absolute water use was reduced by reusing rinse water in the washing process).

Do Not:

  • Report improvements that are not accurate (e.g., the data source is unknown or has not been verified)
  • Report an improvement that is absolute and relates to a decrease in production or reduced facility operations as these are not sustainable improvements.  
  • Report an improvement that is based on insufficient data. (e.g., an overall reduction was achieved but this was not related to measurable or defined actions taken to achieve the reduction). This is particularly important when the improvements are marginal (e.g., less than 1-2%) and possibly attributable to measurement/ tracking errors and/or operational variability.

Watbluereducedemonstrate Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

When verifying a facility’s improvements, Verifiers must review:

  • All supporting evidence (e.g., water use data and baselines, etc.) to verify the reported reduction quantity is accurate and attributable to measurable actions taken to reduce water use. 
  • The implemented changes or actions taken to achieve the improvements.

If any inconsistencies or errors are noted, the reported information must be corrected where possible and detailed comments should be included in the Verification Data field.

Full Points:

Full Points will be awarded if the facility has reduced absolute blue water use (except rainwater) compared with the baseline.

Note: Points are awarded for a reduction of any amount (i.e., scoring is not based on the amount of the reduction achieved).

Documentation Required: 

  • Documentation that demonstrates reductions were achieved in absolute blue water use and result from specific actions taken by the facility to reduce water use. This may include:
    • Water use tracking data showing reductions in water use.
    • Documented evidence of facility actions to reduce water use (e.g., evidence of process modifications, new equipment or work practices that resulted in reductions).   
    • Supporting calculations methodologies or assumptions used to determine the improvements.

Interview Questions to Ask: 

  • Staff responsible for water management can describe how reductions were achieved including any calculations or assumptions made determining the reductions. 

Inspection – Things to Physically Look For: 

  • Onsite observations that indicate the facility has implemented the noted actions to reduce water use (e.g., process modifications, new equipment, or work practices).

Partial Points: N/A

Watriskdisclosure

Does your facility report or disclose water risk and consumption to an external reporting standard, i.e., GRI / CDP? (Ref ID: watriskdisclosure)

Answer Yes if: Your facility has reported water risk and consumption data using an external reporting standard or platform such as Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or CDP or your facility is part of a manufacturing group/organization and your facility’s water risk/consumption is included in the water use disclosure report of the manufacturing group/organization. 

Note: The reported data must be from the current Higg FEM reporting year (e.g., For FEM 2023, water risk/consumption data from 2023 must be reported) or within the latest reporting cycle of the external reporting standard (e.g. if financial is required). 

If you select Yes to this question, you will be asked the following sub question(s):

  • Please provide a link to the report / disclosure. 

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that supports your reported water risk and/or consumption data (e.g., Water risk/consumption data, copy of external report, etc.)

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate that they have reported water risk and consumption data using an external standard or platform.

Technical Guidance

Reporting water risk and consumption data using a recognized standard or platform (e.g., GRI - Water and Effluent or CPD – Water Security reporting standards) provides a way for facilities to ensure data is reported using a consistent standardized methodology that defines accepted criteria for the scope and type of information that needs to be reported.

This can also benefit facilities in a number of ways including:

  • Enhances a facility’s reputation through transparent reporting of environmental data.
  • Allows accurate information to be used internally and externally to support and measure sustainability efforts.
  • Allows facilities to stay ahead of increasing requirements (legal and other) for reporting of environmental and sustainability data. 

Resources:

Watriskdisclosure Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

Full Points:

Full points will be awarded if the facility has reported water risk and consumption data using an external reporting standard or platform or your facility is part of a manufacturing group/organization and your facility’s water risk/consumption is included in the water use disclosure report of the manufacturing group/organization. 

Documentation Required: 

  • Documentation that shows the facility has reported water risk/consumption data using an external standard or platform. This may include:
    • Copy or water use disclosure report or link to the relevant platform where the information was reported and is visible. 
    • Water risk and consumption tracking data that confirms the reported data is accurate.
  • If the facility’s operations are included in water use disclosure reporting of a larger manufacturing group or organization, supporting documentation that shows the report includes the facility’s operations.  

Interview Questions to Ask: 

  • Staff responsible for water management can explain the facility’s reporting methodology and external platform/standard used.

Inspection – Things to Physically Look For: 

  • Onsite observations are consistent with reported water risk and consumption at the facility. 

Partial Points: N/A 

Watdemonstratepositiveimpact

Can your facility demonstrate positive impact onto the water catchment/basin area or water source in your community? (Ref ID: watdemonstratepositiveimpact)

Answer Yes if: Your facility has taken action that has resulted in a positive impact on the water catchment/basin area or water source(s) in your community.

Note: The actions referred to in this question must include action outside of the facility’s operational boundary that impact the larger water catchment/basin area in the community.

If you select Yes to this question, you will be asked the following sub question(s):

  • Describe the strategies used to achieve this. 

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that demonstrates the facility has taken action to support positive impacts on the water catchment/basin in the community (e.g., list of important water related areas and their current state, records of community engagement meetings on watershed management, list of improvement actions or initiatives the facility has taken or contributed to, etc.) 

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate that actions have been taken that resulted in a positive impact on the water catchment/basin area and/or water source(s) in the community.  

Technical Guidance

A water catchment or basin area (sometimes referred to as a watershed or drainage basin) is a geographic area where all water flows to a common point or body of water, such as a lake, river, or aquifer. It consists of streams, rivers, springs or other water collection systems. The health of a water catchment or basin area is important because it serves as a natural area for the management of local water resources, the protection of ecosystems, and the planning of water use and development activities.

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (https://a4ws.org/ ) has created a certification framework and guidance to help facilities identify proactively work to improve water stewardship in the communities they operate in. 

An important part of supporting improvements within a catchment/basin area is identifying Important Water-Related Areas (IWRA) which are areas that, if impaired or lost, would negatively impact the environmental, social, cultural, or economic benefits. When identifying IWRAs it is important work with stakeholders in the community to identify and consider the following aspects:

  • Environmental Importance - The natural features supporting landscapes and ecosystems. Examples include:
    • Water features: river, stream, spring, waterfall, lake, ponds)
    • Wetlands
    • Recharge zones for aquifers
    • Designated conservation sites.
  • Community Importance - Areas that provide resources and features essential to meeting basic needs. Examples include:
    • Water sources for drinking water (e.g., wells, springs, surface water)
    • Freshwater animals or plants relied on by communities for food or other benefits.
  • Cultural Importance - Water-related features may have important cultural, religious, or spiritual value to the community or indigenous peoples. Examples include:
    • Waterfalls, springs, or lakes of special cultural significance
  • Economic Importance - Water or areas that are essential for economic development and stability. Examples include:
    • Water/areas for drinking water, industrial or agricultural supply.
    • Water/areas that support ecosystem services such as climate regulation or flood mitigation. Or natural plant/animal food stocks.

Once IWRAs and their current state have been evaluated, actions can be evaluated through collaborative partnerships to determine where to focus efforts to support positive improvements which can include, but are not limited to:

  • Working in partnership to reduce net water abstraction from the catchment/basin.
  • Projects to replenish water elsewhere in the catchment to offset site water consumption. This allows for facilities to use the volume of water needed, but overall, the site is still improving the catchment water balance.
  • Restoration or protection/conservation projects for IWRA.
  • Provision or support for provision of a sufficient supply of safe drinking water for surrounding communities.
  • Provision or support for the provision of sufficient and improved standard facilities for toilets and washrooms in the surrounding community.
  • Provide training for local communities on good hygiene practices (related to water use and wastewater disposal)
  • Where there is no strong case of the need for physical actions, facilities may work with community stakeholders to communicate the importance and good practices for water stewardship principles. 

Resources:

Watdemonstratepositiveimpact Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

Full Points:

Documentation Required:

  • Documentation that demonstrates the facility has taken action to support positive impacts on the water catchment/basin in the community. This may include:
    • List of Important Water-Related Areas (IWRA) and evaluation of their current state
    • List of improvements actions or initiatives the facility has taken or contributed to.
    • Records of community engagement meetings on watershed management.

Interview Questions to Ask:

  • Staff responsible for managing projects on water catchment impacts and improvements can describe how the facility has identified the need for action, the actions the facility has taken or contributed to, and how the facility engages with the community on watershed management issues. 

Inspection - Things to Physically Look For: 

  • If applicable, evidence onsite that the facility has taken action to support positive impacts on the water catchment/basin in the community (e.g., postings or community newsletters detailing the facility’s actions).

Partial Points: N/A 

Watleadingtech

Does your facility implement any “leading technology” practices to significantly reduce water use in the manufacturing process? (Ref ID: watleadingtech)

Answer Yes if: Your facility has implemented leading technology that resulted in a significant reduction of water use. 

Note: For this question, the following terms are defined as follows:

  • Leading technology - means the use of (including but not limited to) equipment or raw materials.
  • Significantly reduce water use – means any technology has resulted in a demonstrable water use reduction of 50% or more when compared to conventional processing and methods.  

If you select Yes to this question, you will be asked the following sub question(s):

  • Describe the practices implemented. 

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that demonstrates the facility has implemented leading technology that has resulted in significant reduction in water use (e.g., water consumption data and baselines, photos or documentation of process modifications, new equipment or raw materials that resulted in the reduced water use). 

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate that leading technology has been implemented to reduce water use.

Technical Guidance

New manufacturing techniques, equipment and raw materials are constantly evolving to support reductions in impacts on the environment. The use of leading technology can help facilities achieve significant reductions in water consumption and increase operational efficiency. 

Some leading technology include, but are not limited to:

  • Use of Water-efficient equipment/processes (e.g., waterless dyeing or treatment technologies, low liquor dyeing, laser finishing as opposed to water-based treatments for textiles).
  • Use of alternative raw materials that require less water use (e.g., chemicals that require less water for fixation and rinses).
  • Use of advanced treatment technology for reuse/recycling (e.g. membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, zero liquid discharge (ZLD) treatment systems)
  • Digitization of water management (e.g., automation of water use optimization such as real-time monitoring and control systems for water flow and dosing control).

Resources:

Watleadingtech Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

Full Points:

Full points will be awarded for facilities that have implemented any leading technology including but not limited to equipment or raw materials that has resulted in a water use reduction of 50% or more when compared to conventional processing and methods.  

Documentation Required: 

  • Documentation that demonstrates the facility has implemented leading technology that has significantly reduced water use. This may include:
    • Water use tracking data showing reductions in water use.
    • Documented evidence of facility actions to reduce water use (e.g., evidence of process modifications, new equipment, or technology).   
    • Supporting calculations methodologies or assumptions used to determine the water use reduced from new technology used.

Interview Questions to Ask: 

  • Staff responsible for water management can describe the leading technology implemented and how reductions were demonstrated including any calculations or assumptions made determining the reductions.  

Inspection – Things to Physically Look For: 

  • Onsite observations that indicate the facility has implemented the noted technology to reduce water use (e.g., process modifications, new equipment, or technology).

Partial Points: N/A

Watsbt

Has your facility set a Science-Based Target on Water? (Ref ID: watsbt)

Answer Yes if:  Your Facility has set a Science-Based Target for water use or if your facility is part of a manufacturing group/organization that has set a Science-Based Target for water use that specifically includes your facility’s operations and impacts on your local water catchment/basin area.

Notes: 

  • Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest hydrological science says is necessary to meet the sustainable freshwater quantity and quality targets for a water catchment/basin.
  • If your facility has set water use targets, but these have not been formally evaluated to determine if they align with specific hydrological science for sustainable water use (quantity and quality) in your water catchment/basin area, you should answer No to this question. 

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be asked to complete the following sub question(s):

  • Please indicate which methodology you use to set the Science-Based Target:
    • SBTN
    • Other
  • If Other, please specify.
  • Has this Science-Based Target been approved?
  • What is your Science-Based Target?

If you answer No to this question, you will be asked to complete the following sub question(s):

  • Is your facility preparing to set a Science-Based Target?

Suggested Uploads:

  • Documentation that supports your facility’s Science-Based Target for water (e.g., water risk evaluation for the facility's catchment/basin area, evaluations of the facility's baseline risk and contribution to water challenges in the catchment, water use target and/or impact evaluation, etc.).

This question is not scored in the 2025 Higg FEM reporting year. Scoring may be applied in future reporting years.

What is the intent of the question?

The intent of this question is for facilities to demonstrate that they have established science-based targets for water use. 

Technical Guidance:

Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest hydrological science says is necessary to meet the sustainable freshwater quantity and quality targets for a water catchment/basin.

The process of setting a science based water target can be complex as there are many factors that need to be evaluated and understood. The key principles to consider and evaluate when setting a target include:

  • Understand and evaluate the material challenges with the catchment (e.g., operational risks and impacts of facility operations).
  • Determine the facility’s special scope (e.g., the on and off site boundaries which the facility’s water use and discharge has an impact on).
  • Prioritize the challenges/risks within the catchment (e.g., by evaluating the catchment risks combined with the facility’s operational risk).
  • Determine the desired conditions for the priority challenges within the catchment. These can be qualitative or quantitative (e.g., eliminate fish kills in the local river due to high water temperature in warmer seasons, or maintaining stream temperature below 20 degrees Celsius to support natural fish habitat).
  • Assess the gap between the current and desired conditions. Where possible scientific data should be used to quantify and evaluate these gaps (e.g., the difference in percentage of community members with access to safe drinking water, difference in the current and desired pollutant loading of local waterway)
  • Determine the facility’s contribution towards the desired conditions (e.g., does the facility’s wastewater have a material impact on the catchment and can this be reduced).
  • Identify other collaborative water stewardship efforts or initiatives that the facility can take part in.
  • Set targets that will contribute to efforts to meet desired conditions.

Resources:

Watsbt Verification And Scoring

How This Will Be Verified:

Note: This question is currently unscored. 

Documentation Required: 

  • Documentation that shows the facility has set a Science-Based Target for water. This may include:
    • Water risk evaluation for facility’s catchment/basin area, 
    • Evaluations of facility’s operational risk and contribution to water challenges in the catchment/basin.
    • Water use target and/or impact evaluation (e.g., desired conditions and gap analysis)
    • Documentation to support the facility’s planned actions and/or community engagement to meet the target.
  • If the facility’s operations are included in a Science-Based Target of a larger manufacturing group or organization, supporting documentation that shows the target includes the facility’s operations.  
  • If the facility is planning to set a target, supporting information (such as those noted above) that is being used for target planning.

Interview Questions to Ask: 

  • Staff responsible for water management and stewardship are able to explain the facility’s methodology for setting the Science-Based Target.

Inspection – Things to Physically Look For: 

  • Onsite observations are consistent with reported business activities or other supporting documentation associated with the target. 

Partial Points: N/A

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