Great point. I think water savings often bring wider benefits beyond water cost: like lower energy, chemical use, and cycle times.

Water is a critical natural resource, and its sustainable management lies at the heart of ZDHC’s mission to eliminate harmful chemical use and drive sustainable production in textile, apparel, and footwear value chains. While it is correct that direct water tariffs often do not reflect the true cost of water usage, ZDHC advocates for a broader perspective on the business case for water efficiency. 1. Linkage to Chemical Management and Compliance • Reduction of water use in wet processing is intrinsically connected to chemical management. Lower liquor ratios, closed-loop systems, and precision dosing not only reduce water demand but also result in less wastewater generation, lower treatment costs, and higher compliance rates with ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. • Facilities that meet ZDHC Wastewater Module parameters strengthen their position with global brands, many of whom use wastewater compliance as a precondition for business continuity. 2. Operational and Bottom-Line Benefits • While water costs alone may not justify investment, suppliers that have adopted water-efficient technologies (e.g., low-liquor dyeing machines, counter-current washing, membrane filtration, or water-saving auxiliaries) consistently report reductions in steam, electricity, and chemical use, which directly improves profitability. • For example, case studies from ZDHC implementation partners and signatory brands show that every cubic metre of water saved reduces corresponding heating, pumping, and effluent treatment needs, creating savings in energy and sludge handling. 3. Market and Brand Incentives • Through programmes like Supplier to Zero and Brands to Zero, ZDHC provides a framework where water stewardship is recognised, measured, and benchmarked. Suppliers demonstrating leadership on water use are not only reducing operational risks but are also positioning themselves as preferred partners for brands committed to sustainable sourcing. • Increasingly, brands evaluate suppliers based on holistic environmental performance (detox scores, Detox Fashion Radar, Higg FEM, etc.). Strong performance on water efficiency enhances supplier competitiveness in the market. 4. Linkage of Water and Energy • Yes, linking water efficiency to energy reduction is one of the most effective motivators. Heating, circulating, and treating water are energy-intensive processes. Reducing water in wet processes directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions — a priority for brands and investors under global decarbonisation commitments. • This creates a triple benefit: conserving water, lowering operational costs, and reducing carbon footprint. 5. Way Forward • ZDHC is expanding its “Nature Strategy”, integrating water, biodiversity, and carbon. By aligning water efficiency with climate impact and investor-driven ESG metrics, suppliers gain access to both reputational and financial incentives. • We encourage suppliers to see water efficiency not only as a cost factor but as a strategic investment in long-term resilience, compliance, and market positioning.