- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The Risk of Oversimplifying Water https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/269961?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/269961?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/269961?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=The Risk of Oversimplifying Water&body=ESG News from Domtar https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/269961?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Environment](/CSR-News/environment-0) # The Risk of Oversimplifying Water Dec 4, 2019 12:00 PM ET Campaign: [2019 Domtar Sustainability Report](/node/260981) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.05.57_AM.png) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.06.16_AM.png) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.07.08_AM.png "REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY RISKS FOR DOMTAR'S PULP AND PAPER MILLS BY WATER VOLUME – 2018") ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.05.57_AM.png?h=c8d59e97) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.06.16_AM.png?h=fd4cbf5a) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/Screen_Shot_2019-12-04_at_11.07.08_AM.png?h=4aa11c4e "REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY RISKS FOR DOMTAR'S PULP AND PAPER MILLS BY WATER VOLUME – 2018") Understanding risks to our water supplies helps us better focus efforts and resources where they will do the most good. Often when people think about water risk, the first thing that comes to mind is water quantity or availability, but this is just one component. Water quality, regulatory and reputational risks also need to be considered. Each of our facilities operates in a watershed with particular geographies, land uses, regulatory, environmental and socioeconomic characteristics that influence the quantity, quality and timing of water available for use in our manufacturing operations. While we have operated some of our mills for more than 150 years with minimal disruptions due to the availability and quality of water, we recognize we cannot rely on past practices alone to manage water going forward. With growing populations and additional competition for shared resources, we do not take water for granted. The World Resources Institute (WRI) has developed a global, online resource, Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, to help companies better understand water risk by providing a high-level screening of potential risks in watersheds where they operate. Domtar has used WRI’s tool to validate what we already know about water risks in our local watersheds and to disclose them in a more standard way for our stakeholders. Although not perfect, the WRI tool does recognize that water issues are inherently complex. That is why it includes 12 indicators for evaluating water risk. It is concerning that some Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating agencies limit their evaluation of water risk to a single metric (e.g., Baseline Water Stress), potentially missing a large part of a company’s risk profile While we can appreciate ESG rating agencies wanting to compare water risk between companies, and integrating these risks into their algorithms, water risk – unlike greenhouse gas emissions – is a highly localized concern. Rolling up and averaging water risks from a screening-level tool can mask real risks at individual facilities, which is why it is important to also consider milllevel assessments of water risk. Screening tools offer a useful framework, but they alone do not adequately capture what is happening at the facility level. Given that water risk reporting is still emerging, Domtar appreciates initiatives and dialogues that help companies provide more meaningful water risk disclosure. [Read the 2019 Domtar Sustainability Report](https://www.domtar.com/sites/default/files/2019-08/Domtar-Sustainability-Report-2019.pdf) [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/domtar_logo.jpg)](/profiles/domtar) ### More from Domtar ###### [Domtar Sustainability for 2020 and Beyond](/news/domtar-sustainability-2020-and-beyond) Sep 1, 2020 3:00 PM ET ###### [The Power of Paper: A Driving Force for Political Change](/news/power-paper-driving-force-political-change) Aug 25, 2020 4:35 PM ET ###### [In Praise of Paper Ballots](/news/praise-paper-ballots) Jul 3, 2020 1:00 PM ET ###### [Diaper Need: A Growing Problem During a Global Pandemic](/news/diaper-need-growing-problem-during-global-pandemic) Jun 23, 2020 3:30 PM ET ###### [Domtar Personal Care Helps Reimagine Active Aging After COVID-19](/news/domtar-personal-care-helps-reimagine-active-aging-after-covid-19) Jun 17, 2020 11:30 AM ET ###### [Domtar's Windsor Mill Woodroom Upgrade Cuts Fiber Loss, Increases Productivity](/news/domtars-windsor-mill-woodroom-upgrade-cuts-fiber-loss-increases-productivity) Jun 10, 2020 11:30 AM ET ###### [Domtar's Paper-Based Solutions Bring Variety, Creativity to Self-Isolation](/news/domtars-paper-based-solutions-bring-variety-creativity-self-isolation) Jun 8, 2020 3:30 PM ET ###### [Message From Domtar's President and CEO on Inclusion, Diversity and Respect](/news/message-domtars-president-and-ceo-inclusion-diversity-and-respect) Jun 5, 2020 11:10 AM ET