On-Site vs. Life Cycle Requirements
At the final Facility, the manufacturer must meet the requirements of having 100% of potable process water come from on-site renewable sources, be sufficiently treated and discharged without the use of chemicals, and be treated to maintain and not actively diminish the quality of natural habitats on and off-site. Where on-site closed loop solutions have been exhausted, manufacturers may create Handprints within the same watershed to offset remaining potable process water.
In the product life cycle, the manufacturer must document and calculate impacts of water Footprint reduction methods and quantify the reduction in product water Footprint. In addition, the manufacturer must clearly demonstrate the size of the total water Footprint based on production volume, and demonstrate that Handprinting actions offset a minimum of 1 year of impacts (see Net Positive Timeline clarification below if 1 year cannot be met) by the initial certification date, with clear and detailed plans to offset the remaining two years of Footprint impacts.
Non-quantifiable impacts (e.g. social impacts) resulting from manufacturer Handprinting actions are highly encouraged, but are not required for achievement of the Imperative.
ON-SITE CLARIFICATIONS
Closed Loop Systems
Production process water needs must be met, to the maximum extent possible, by a closed-loop system within the carrying capacity of the site’s natural water systems. Ideally this means all water used in production of the product(s) pursuing certification comes from, and is returned to, the facility site.
For example, if the water supply is rainwater, there must be sufficient opportunities for evapotranspiration and infiltration to support the natural ecosystem. If the supply is groundwater (e.g. wells), the manufacturer must show that the aquifer is being recharged with the same amount that is withdrawn on an annual basis, and that withdrawing water for the project does not produce any negative or irreversible consequences (e.g., saltwater intrusion, draining of fossil water). When water is returned to the aquifer after use, it must be reintroduced so that it does not compromise natural systems (e.g., treated and reintroduced at an appropriate temperature to avoid thermal pollution, etc.).
If pursuing the Whole Facility Pathway, project teams must research the current functions and capacity of natural water sources and systems, and ensure that the project as developed emulates the natural hydrologic state of the site prior to human development to the maximum extent possible.
Manufacturers may use water from a municipal reclaimed water system as a resource for non-potable water, so long as the water supplied is municipally treated domestic sewage and not non-treated or minimally treated water that is sourced from the municipality’s potable water supply. Similarly, manufacturers may also contribute their treated greywater or treated domestic sewage water to the system. Any water contributed to municipal systems must be treated to the same or acceptable standards as the water in the reclaimed water system and used beneficially.
Handprinting for On-Site Impacts
I05 requires that the manufacturer demonstrate that process water comes from on-site renewable sources and be treated and discharged without the use of harmful chemicals. If sourcing municipal potable water to meet on-site water demands or discharging effluent to municipal treatment centers, the manufacturer must offset these impacts through Handprinting. Achieving on-site Net Positive is now possible through either on-site closed-loop systems, or Handprinting. If a Handprinting pathway is selected, it must be regional and take place in the same watershed as the facility.
The potable water reduction from Handprinting measures must be metered or determined using utility data if possible. If metering or utility data is not possible/available, then calculated water savings is acceptable for documentation of this requirement.
Where the Handprinting offset can be demonstrated by metering, the reduction in potable water use must be compared to the water use during either the immediately preceding year or an average of the immediately preceding 5 years. If the Handprinting strategy is being implemented in a new building, the project team must show a water reduction beyond BAU or code.
Where the Handprinting offset is calculated, conservative and industry-accepted assumptions regarding usage patterns must be used.
Handprinting impacts for on-site impacts must be in place by the time of the certification audit, and the associated water savings must be calculated to last for at least 15 years.
LIFE CYCLE NET POSITIVE CLARIFICATIONS
Net Positive Timeline
By the time of certification, manufacturers must create a water Handprint greater than the cradle-to-gate water Footprint established in the 12-month performance period as identified in I04, and then maintain Net Positivity on an annual basis moving forward.
While Net Positive Water is encouraged to be accounted for on an annual basis, the minimum requirement at the time of certification is Net Positive achievement for at least 3 months of potable water consumption, calculated multiplying the water Footprint by production volume. This may help manufacturers that are scaling production and sales during the certification process and after certification is achieved and product sales begin.
Manufacturers who have offset less than the full 3 years of production impacts at the time of certification, must have a robust plan in place to maintain Net Positivity through the certification period in order to be approved.
This plan must include all of the following:
- Description of each Handprinting activity
- Timeline of implementation
- Clear description of how the Handprint will be measured
- Statement from the manufacturing leadership pointing to awareness of the program requirements and committing to maintaining Net Positivity over the certification period
Handprinting for Life Cycle Impacts
Preference should be given to Handprinting actions that are regional to the facility or to upstream facilities that have significant water impact, in order to better balance footprints and Handprints for the local ecology.
Water Handprints are defined as actions that leave the watershed with more potable water than the business-as-usual scenario. While the specifics of the action, location and context of Handprints are critical to identify, there are some examples to set manufacturers on the right track. These include:
- Reducing the water footprint of another building or facility outside the product Footprint (example, installing water efficient low-flow fixtures). Protecting land designated for deforestation and therefore increasing infiltration such that an aquifer is recharged with more and cleaner water
- Some examples: help other manufacturers or upstream supply chain vendors identify water saving actions in their own facilities; helping them identify water footprint actions in their own supply chain (e.g. new process in paper and wood pulp products that reduces water consumption by 25%);
Refer to the Handprinting Guide for more information, guidance and inspiration on Handprint creation.
