Why water matters

Water supports daily life, protects public health, drives industry and sustains communities. At the same time, climate change is intensifying water stress – floods, droughts, pollution and scarcity are becoming more frequent and severe, and it’s through water that we first feel the effects of a changing climate.

At Grundfos, we see water not just as a resource but as a catalyst for well-being, progress and long-term resilience. That’s why we focus on the areas where we can make a meaningful impact.

We’re working to strengthen water resilience across our operations, supply chain, influence policy development and support our end users in managing their water challenges.

Water stewardship – is how we respond to today’s pressures and help build resilience where it matters most.

Taking action where it counts

To make the biggest difference for people, communities and the environment, we focus on three areas where our water stewardship actions can drive the most impact. These areas guide how we apply our solutions, expertise and partnerships to build long-term resilience.

Reducing water use

By improving water efficiency and enabling water reuse and recycling.

Adapting to water shocks

By increasing the use of alternative water sources, such as rainwater, and by improving sewer resilience and flood protection.

Transforming lives

By expanding access to safe water to those who need it most.

Water stewardship at every step

We’re on a journey to integrate water stewardship across every aspect of our business – from sourcing materials responsibly and operating our sites efficiently, to designing solutions that promote sustainable water use, and engaging in public policy, dialogue and collective action.

We organise our approach around six key action areas. This helps us coordinate and align our work in operations, solutions and partnerships, so every step we take helps build a more water-resilient world.

Supply chain

Our aim is to reduce supplier water use in water-stressed areas and increase resilience to water shocks in our supply chain.

Actions we’re taking

Based on initial water risk insights, we’ve approached select suppliers for a supplier survey and targeted engagement.

This work informs our segmentation and prioritisation of suppliers according to water-related risk and resilience maturity.

Building on our supplier engagement experience, we’ll develop a supplier engagement programme to strengthen supply chain water resilience.

Operational sites

Our aim is to reduce our water withdrawal at sites in water-stressed locations and increase site resilience to water shocks.

Actions we’re taking

Following a comprehensive water risk assessment, we are taking context-based actions across our operational sites. We are currently focusing on mitigation planning and actions  at selected sites in Asia and Latin America where  basin conditions create hightened risk. At the same time, our commitment is to apply mitigation measures globally wherever we face substantive risks. In addition, to further increasing transparency, we’re rolling out a new water accounting concept that captures a wide range of water balance data at our sites to enable us to prioritise actions and adapt to emerging challenges.   

Target

Reduce our water withdrawal by 50% by 2025 compared to the 2008 baseline year. We are currently working on revising our water targets and will introduce a new water withdrawal target for 2026.

Progress

46% reduction in 2024. - Sustainability report 2024 – environmental impact

Water solutions

Our aim is to enable end-users to reduce water use and help them adapt to water shocks.

Actions we’re taking

We address the growing need for sustainable water management – to move, manage and treat water in more resource-efficient ways – by delivering innovative, intelligent water solutions for homes, buildings, industries and utilities.

Target

Enable our end users to save 50bn m³ water by 2030 against a 2020 baseline.

Progress

8.2bn m³ saved up to 2024. - Sustainability report 2024 – environmental impact

In homes

We advance energy- and water-efficient products and solutions, enabling homeowners to save water and energy and decarbonise their homes. We help homeowners adapt to water shocks by offering solutions for rainwater harvesting and flood prevention.

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In buildings

We aim to create resilient commercial buildings for the future. We ensure business continuity by delivering water precisely where and when it’s needed, while creating resilience in and around buildings through intelligent water solutions and energy-efficient products.

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In industry

We’re redefining industrial water treatment to accelerate the global water and energy transformation. Our smart water treatment solutions help customers reduce water and energy consumption and waste, enabling recovery, reuse and compliance. And by expanding in water-critical industries, we’re turning circularity from ambition into reality.


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In utilities

We safeguard sustainable water management from source to tap. We protect vital water resources, reduce water loss and enable recycling and reuse through intelligent, system-level water and wastewater solutions. Our technologies deliver reliable, efficient water services, build resilient infrastructure and promote water access, empowering communities to thrive today and adapt for tomorrow.

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Water access

Our aim is to transform lives by expanding access to safe water, in alignment with the UN’s sixth Sustainable Development Goal: clean water and sanitation for all.

Actions we’re taking

We’re developing and implementing non-traditional partnerships, innovative business models, and tailored solutions for long-term viable water services. Through these, we can transform global water access, save lives and increase resilience to climate change.

Target

Access to safe water for 300m people by 2030

Progress

Est. 51.2m people reached (2020–24) - Sustainability report 2024 – social impact

Advocacy and partnerships

Our aim is to encourage action to strengthen water resilience and accelerate the adoption of water sustainability solutions worldwide.

Actions we’re taking

We actively participate in public dialogue and, together with partner organisations, drive policy changes and support joint initiatives that raise visibility of water-related issues.

We want to ensure intelligent water solutions are more widely adopted globally. Our focus is on impact areas where we possess the solutions, expertise, and can make a significant difference.

Our advocacy work also involves strategic partnerships with international organisations.

Collective action

Our aim is to measurably improve water availability, quality and resilience for communities in priority areas.

Actions we’re taking

We collaborate with partners to address shared water challenges in local communities with our solutions, expertise and funding support.

In 2025, we took a significant step forward by joining the Water Resilience Coalition. This coalition, comprising 40 leading companies, is dedicated to building water resilience within their operations and supply chains, while also investing in collective action to combat water stress.