With global projections indicating that the world could face a 40% water shortfall by 2030 if current consumption patterns continue, the need for urgent and scalable water stewardship has never been greater. Against this backdrop, on World Water Day, Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power, and technology conglomerate, announced that it has recycled and reused over 85 million cubic metres of water across its operations in FY26 (till February YTD) - equivalent to the volume of over 34,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The company’s water positivity index stands at 0.63, based on internal water accounting aligned with globally accepted frameworks. This reflects the company’s proactive approach to building a sustainable and resilient water management framework that delivers measurable environmental outcomes while continuing to drive business performance and shareholder value.

As India faces increasing water stress due to climate variability and rising demand, Vedanta Limited remains committed to responsible water stewardship and continues to scale its efforts through technology-driven water efficiency, ecosystem restoration and community partnerships, supporting its goal of becoming fully Net Water Positive by 2030.

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Vedanta’s water stewardship strategy is anchored in a three-pronged approach:

1. Recycle – Reusing treated water to reduce freshwater dependence.

2. Conserve – Improving operational efficiency and lowering consumption.

3. Replenish – Recharging water through watershed and community initiatives.

This integrated approach supports efficient operations and long-term sustainability. Several of its businesses including Hindustan Zinc Limited, Cairn Oil & Gas and Vedanta’s Iron Ore Business are now net water positive, signifying that the volume of water replenished through structured interventions exceeds the total freshwater consumed in their operations.

The company has also steadily strengthened its water management practices across its industrial operations, achieving a 31% water recycling rate, which is among the higher ranges observed in water-intensive industries globally, through advanced treatment and reuse systems. 

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Water stewardship at Vedanta combines operational efficiency with large-scale groundwater recharge and watershed development programmes. Through these initiatives, the company has replenished or conserved more than 7 million cubic metres of water through watershed and groundwater recharge projects during the year.

Across its operations, Vedanta is also strengthening water efficiency through process innovation and reuse systems. For instance, Vedanta’s Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) has implemented reuse of cooling tower blowdown water, reducing freshwater consumption by nearly 4,800 cubic metres per day. In another example of reducing freshwater dependency, Vedanta Power’s Meenakshi Energy Limited operates its plant entirely on 100% seawater (saline water), effectively eliminating the need for freshwater in its operations. Such measures, combined with closed-loop water management and recycling infrastructure across facilities, are helping reduce dependence on freshwater sources.

Community Impact

Aligned with this year’s World Water Day theme, “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” Vedanta continues to integrate water stewardship with community development and gender inclusion. Recognising that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by water scarcity, the company’s initiatives aim to improve access to safe water while enabling better health, education, and livelihood outcomes.

Vedanta’s water and WASH initiatives now span 225+ villages, supporting over 10.5 lakh people in FY26 through watershed development, water harvesting and safe drinking water infrastructure. These initiatives include solar-powered borewells, sewage treatment plants and RO systems, supplying over 30 lakh litres of clean drinking water to communities.

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Some of the company’s key water conservation and community initiatives include:

• Cairn Oil & Gas has developed five nadis (community ponds) and more than 100 khadins (earthen bunds) in Rajasthan to capture monsoon rainwater and recharge groundwater for agriculture.
• Construction of nearly 70 community rainwater harvesting structures in Barmer district by Cairn to strengthen water availability in some of India’s most water-distressed villages.
• Rejuvenation of common village ponds and construction of rainwater saving pits for farmers by Talwandi Sabo Power Limited in Punjab.
• Groundwater recharge pits created by Vedanta’s Iron Ore Business to improve water availability in surrounding communities.
• Lanjigarh operations have created 10 lakh cubic metres of water recharge potential, supporting irrigation across more than 800 acres and enabling development of water bodies across 30 villages.
• Project SANGAM at Lanjigarh has developed more than 50 water structures and enabled over 4 lakh cubic metres of water recharge, benefiting more than 5,000 community members.

Vedanta’s leadership in responsible water management has also received national recognition. The Rajpura Dariba Complex of Hindustan Zinc Limited became the first Vedanta facility to receive NITI Aayog’s Scope 1 Water Positivity Aspiring Company certification, reflecting progress in watershed assessment, water audits, source mapping and long-term water management planning.

Through continued investments in water efficiency, ecosystem restoration and community partnerships, Vedanta Limited continues to reinforce its commitment to responsible water management and long-term environmental resilience.

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Note: This article has been issued by Vedanta and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.