The Source of Sustainability: Water Stewardship in Our Agricultural Supply Chain
In my previous article, "The Well Runs Dry? Why Water Demands Urgent Attention in the Drinks Industry," I confronted the stark realities of water scarcity, escalating demand, and the regulatory pressures impacting our sector. Water is not an infinite commodity but our most indispensable, and increasingly vulnerable, ingredient and operational resource.
Having grasped the magnitude of the issue, the critical question becomes: where do we begin to make a tangible difference? For many drinks businesses, the most significant portion of their total water footprint lies not within the walls of their distillery, brewery, or winery, but further afield – embedded within the agricultural raw materials that form the very essence of their products. This week, we explore the vital importance of water stewardship in these agricultural supply chains.
The Hidden Water in Our Grains, Grapes, and Botanicals
Every agricultural ingredient, from the barley in our beers and whiskies, the grapes in our wines, to the fruits, sugars, and botanicals in our spirits and liqueurs, carries an "embedded" water footprint. We can separate these into two different ‘streams’:
Green Water: This is the water that occurs naturally i.e. rainfall and water present in the soil and water table that’s used by plants during their growth. While naturally occurring, its availability is increasingly erratic due to climate change.
Blue Water: The water redirected from rivers, lakes, and groundwater aquifers for artificial irrigation. This is often the most contentious component, especially in water-stressed regions where it can compete with other essential human and environmental needs.
The volume of water required can be substantial. While precise figures vary enormously depending on crop type, climate, soil, and farming practices, indicative ranges highlight the scale:
Cereal Grains (e.g., barley, wheat): Can require 500-1,500 litres of water per kilogram of grain.
Grapes for Wine: Estimates range from 100 to over 600 litres of water per litre of wine produced, with vineyard irrigation being a major factor.
Sugar Cane/Beet: Sugar cane is the 3rd most water intensive crop we grow using between 1,500-3,000L per kilogram.
Fruits & Botanicals: Vary widely, but many speciality ingredients are grown in regions experiencing increasing water stress.
Why Our Agricultural Water Footprint Demands Focus
Addressing water use in agriculture is paramount for several reasons:
Sheer Volume: As noted, it's frequently the largest part of a product's lifecycle water consumption.
Geographic Risk: Many key agricultural sourcing regions are precisely those facing the highest levels of water stress, leading to competition for resources, ecological damage, and social tensions.
Supply Chain Resilience: Water scarcity directly impacts crop yields, quality, and price volatility, posing significant risks to the consistent supply of essential raw materials. Businesses reliant on ingredients from water-stressed areas are increasingly vulnerable.
Reputational Impact: Consumers and stakeholders are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of food and drink production, including water use in agriculture. Brands seen to be actively working towards sustainable sourcing gain a reputational advantage.
Partnering for Solutions: Collaborative Water Stewardship on the Farm
Reducing the agricultural water footprint is not something drinks businesses can achieve in isolation. It requires genuine partnership and collaboration with farmers and suppliers. Key strategies include:
Promoting Water-Efficient Irrigation:
Supporting the transition from less efficient methods (like flood or furrow irrigation) to modern techniques such as drip irrigation, micro-sprinklers, and sensor-based precision irrigation that deliver water directly to the plant roots when needed. This can lead to dramatic reductions in blue water consumption.
Championing Soil Health:
Healthy soils are fundamental to water stewardship. Practices that increase soil organic matter (e.g., through cover cropping, reduced tillage, application of compost/organic matter) improve soil structure, enhancing water infiltration and retention capacity. This makes crops more resilient to dry spells and reduces the need for irrigation and the risk of water runoff.
Encouraging Climate-Appropriate & Drought-Resistant Crops:
Working with agricultural partners to select crop varieties and rootstocks that are better adapted to local climatic conditions and show greater resilience to drought can significantly reduce water demand without compromising quality.
Supporting Catchment-Level Water Stewardship:
Water challenges are often shared within a river basin or catchment. Businesses can contribute by participating in or supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives that aim to manage water resources sustainably at a landscape level. This can involve projects focused on restoring wetlands, improving water governance, or supporting collective irrigation schemes.
Providing Knowledge, Resources, and Incentives:
Drinks companies can play a crucial role by providing farmers with technical expertise, access to research on water-saving techniques, or financial support/incentives to invest in water-efficient technologies or adopt sustainable practices. Fair and stable purchasing agreements can also give farmers the security to make longer-term investments in water stewardship.
The Role of Standards and Certifications
Various agricultural sustainability standards and certifications (such as Organic, Rainforest Alliance, or the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform's Farm Sustainability Assessment) increasingly incorporate criteria related to water management. While not a panacea, sourcing certified ingredients can provide a degree of assurance and a framework for driving improvements.
Overcoming Hurdles, Seizing Opportunities
The path to a water-resilient agricultural supply chain is a massive challenge. Supply chains can be complex and fragmented, the upfront costs of new technologies or practices can be a barrier for some farmers, and climatic conditions are increasingly unpredictable.
However, the opportunities are immense. Proactive water stewardship in agriculture not only mitigates critical supply chain risks and reduces environmental impact but also strengthens relationships with suppliers, enhances brand reputation, meets the expectations of conscious consumers, and ultimately contributes to the long-term viability of the entire drinks sector.
Next: Bringing Water Wisdom into Our Operations
Addressing the water embedded in our raw materials is a foundational step. In our next article, we will bring the focus closer to home, examining how drinks businesses can optimise water use and implement circular water management practices within your own production facilities – from the mash tun and cooling towers to the bottling line and staff toilets.
For now, let's recognise that the journey to true water stewardship begins in the field, nurturing the sources of our most indispensable element.
