Source Water Protection Standards at The Coca-Cola Company
In our operations around the world, we rely on local water resources. We recognize that water is a shared resource, and that it is critical for sustainable development. We know that water is a scarce resource in some areas around the world, and we are committed to help protect and preserve our shared water resources
To this end, our Company has implemented a Source Water Protection Standard to ensure quality and sustainability, and to develop and improve source water management practices across our bottling system.
The Standard requires each Coca-Cola Division to develop a Source Water Protection Program to be managed by diverse teams, including technical, legal, regulatory, and communications experts at the senior management and plant levels. In implementing the Source Water Protection Program, management teams identify private and industrial groups engaged in water resource protection, and they look for potential partnership opportunities.
Central to the Source Water Protection Program are activities at the plant level, where a water resource management team will: create a vision statement; conduct a Source Vulnerability Assessment (SVA); identify vulnerabilities and develop goals, objectives, action and implementation plans; develop and implement a Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP); evaluate the plant on a set timetable; and document monitoring data.
Each facility must contract a qualified independent consultant to conduct the SVA. A plant with its own source of water must complete a comprehensive hydro-geological and surface hydrology assessment for each water source. Elements of the SVA will include mapping the watershed and indicating water sources, main users, land uses and potential sources of contamination to the water supply. Requirements for plants receiving water from a public or government-owned facility vary slightly, but incorporate steps to work with the municipal supplier to determine water rights issues and alternative sources of water.
SVA findings are a critical aspect of a plant’s Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP). The SVA findings help provide clarity about water sources in communities where we operate and offer detailed information that helps us build water management programs and engage with local communities on water issues. SVA findings also help us develop plans for business operations in areas experiencing water stress or drought. If our plants in locations facing water shortages are required to alter plant capacity or production, the Company will determine what appropriate actions should be taken. The SWPP is clear that, in some situations, production may need to be held flat, scaled-back or ceased.
The Standard dictates a timeline in which each Division must complete and implement a Source Water Protection Program. Program evaluation intervals are, at minimum, once every five years and include a review of each plant’s Source Water Protection Plan to document changes in main users or potential sources of contamination, facility operations, vulnerabilities, and monitoring plans. Stakeholder engagement, emergency response and contingency plans are also reviewed as essential elements of the Plan.
