Environmental Performance

Water Management

Water remains a serious concern globally. With the phenomenon of climate change further aggravating water availability challenges, India is faced with a difficult and turbulent water future.

Not only are there serious supply threats to our major snow fed rivers such as the Ganga and Brahmaputra as a result of the glacial melt, but there is also the direct threat of reduced agricultural outputs due to disruptions in monsoon patterns.

Agriculture accounts for around 90% of total water consumption in India and the challenges as a result of water stress are aggravated by the huge inequalities in geographical distribution as well as by the fact that the entire monsoon rainfall occurs around a 12-week period.

Given these challenges, ITC is committed to conserve and manage this precious natural resource. ITC’s approach to Water Management is as follows:

1. Water conservation

Water audits, benchmarking and use of leading practices to achieve lowest possible specific water consumption (water per unit of product).

2. Zero effluent discharge

Treating and progressing to achieve recycling of all wastewater.

3. Water positive footprint

Enhance our water positive footprint through rainwater harvesting, both within our own Units and across different watershed areas.

4. Water availability

Ensure supply of treated waste water of satisfactory quality to neighbouring farmer communities during the non-monsoon period so as to enable agriculture during the dry season.