Implementation of AWS standard

LuWSI Program on water stewardship for corporates and Commercial utilities

About Water Stewardship

People, businesses and the environment all depend on freshwater to survive and thrive. However, there is increased pressure on the freshwater ecosystems which has given rise to a reduced amount of water available owing to contamination and poor management. To promote the responsible use of freshwater the Alliance for Water stewardship (AWS) was established. AWS is a global membership-based collaboration which unites organizations to promote responsible use of freshwater that is socially and economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable. Responsible use of freshwater is being achieved through a global water stewardship system, centered on the International Water Stewardship Standard (the AWS Standard), that drives, recognizes and rewards good water stewardship performance. Read more about AWS here.

Rationale

Depletion, degradation, drought, floods, and water conflict, together with inadequate infrastructure, investment and governance pose growing barriers to development. When water runs short, or is polluted, it affects us all. Our businesses suffer, the health of individuals in communities is compromised, and nature ceases to thrive.

Effective management of water is therefore a shared interest amongst governments, businesses, communities, NGOs and society. These shared interests and challenges provide a clear imperative for a shared response and the opportunity for stronger collaboration to mobilise, pool and align the resources, actions and political will needed to avert the emerging water crisis.

Raise awareness on water resource pollution and Over-abstraction.
Raising awareness on water resource protection in accordance with international standards
Establishing a cordial and positive relationship between regulators, and private sector companies with regards to water use and regulation.
Improved safety, health and environmental quality within and beyond the premises of the private section production sites.
Enhanced multi stakeholder and private sector led collaboration on water resource protection.

Private sector award

LuWSI aims to promote collaboration and joint accountability through the implementation of an international water stewardship standards, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) by companies through support from Partners. LuWSI first implemented the AWS in 2018 at Fairy Bottling (now Coca Cola Bottling Africa) in partnership with Action for Water. Subsequently, a Water Stewardship Award was introduced to encourage more companies to embrace the concept. In 2019 Zambia Breweries and Zambia Sugar PLC were awarded first and second prize respectively for the Water Stewardship award at the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gala night.

Commercial utility award

In collaboration with NWASCO, LuWSI has now introduced a similar award for the Water Utility Companies in an effort to instil good water stewardship. This is at the backdrop of many catchment and environmental sustainability challenges that the utilities have faced which have threatened sustainable water supply across the country. The Utility award is expected to be handed out annually during the launch of the NWASCO Sector Report.

Approach

A partnership-based approach is used from global to regional to local scale not only to help companies and utilities mitigate water risks, but to help all water users address their shared water challenges. A framework is provided through which partnerships can mitigate risk and improve water security at community, municipal, basin, national and international scales.

Outcomes

Responsible water stewards: water users and managers who understand their own water use, catchment context and shared risk in terms of water governance, water balance, water quality and important water-related areas.
Good water stewards: water users who engage in meaningful individual and collective actions to protect and enhance freshwater resources for the benefit of people and nature.
Effective water resource management: water use in a manner that is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial.