UltraTech Cement certified as being over 'two times' water positive

4th June, 2018

4th June, 2018: UltraTech Cement announced today that it has been certified to be more than two times water positive by DNV – GL, a global quality assurance and risk management company. The assessment includes all UltraTech integrated units, grinding units and bulk terminals in India basis the data for the fiscal year 2016-17.

This is an important milestone in UltraTech’s commitment to drive sustainability across the business life-cycle. UltraTech Cement defines ‘water balance index’ as the ratio of water credit over water debit at each site, which is a recognised methodology to establish water positivity. ‘Water debit’ denotes the total volume of water consumed or withdrawn, and ‘water credit’ is the summation of the volume of recycled/ reused water, harvested rain water and recharged ground water. Water conservation, harvesting, recharge and infrastructure projects outside the fence which are targeted towards community are also considered as ‘credit’ components of water balance. Considering these points and by developing a debit and credit based water balance sheet, UltraTech Cement was certified as 2.18 times water positive at an entity level by DNV-GL.

UltraTech Cement has been increasing its focus on water management over the years. The business continues to reduce the water footprint of its operations, and promotes responsible water management in partnership with various government bodies and other local stakeholders. All of our units are zero water discharge plants. All initiatives are undertaken in the best interest of the communities around its units. The company tracks water withdrawal, consumption, reuse, recycling and discharge. UltraTech also endeavours to save water by constructing water harvesting structures and employing water-efficient techniques. It works extensively on community-level integrated watershed management projects that benefit the local communities through improvement of ground water recharge, enhancement of ground water levels, increased farm output and income levels. Community-level water interventions include check dams, pond desiltation or deepening, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge.