World Water Day 2025: Together, Let’s Revolutionize the Construction Industry to Address Water Scarcity
On this World Water Day 2025, we at Saint-Gobain Africa recognize the construction industry’s significant reliance and impact on freshwater resources. With the sector accounting for an estimated 15–20% of global freshwater consumption, the urgency to transform the industry into a less water-reliant model has never been greater.
Fourteen countries in Africa are already experiencing water stress; another 11 countries are expected to join them by 2025 at which time nearly 50 percent of Africa’s predicted population of 1.45 billion people will face water stress or scarcity. This growing water scarcity threatens ecosystems, health, sanitation, livelihoods, and even the construction industry itself, with supply chain disruptions and increased project costs becoming unavoidable challenges.
However, these challenges also present an extraordinary opportunity for innovation and collaboration to create a more climate-resilient construction sector that preserves water resources for all.
Understanding the Water Footprint in Construction: Move above collaborate
The water footprint of the construction industry reflects the total volume of freshwater consumed or polluted during various processes, including:
- Material production
- Site operations
- Infrastructure development
- Waste management
- Staff requirements
Reducing this footprint is vital for environmental conservation and offers the potential to lower municipal costs and enhance resilience against climate-related risks.
Opportunities for Innovation and Collaboration
To address water scarcity and reduce the industry's reliance on freshwater, two primary pathways stand out:
Innovation: Developing and utilizing materials and products that require less water during manufacturing.
Collaboration: Engaging in multi-stakeholder partnerships—such as collaborations with universities for product innovation and partnerships with waste management organizations. These industry partnerships enable businesses to co-create cost-effective, sustainable solutions while mitigating supply chain risks.
Saint-Gobain’s Water Mark
At Saint-Gobain Africa, we are proud to embrace our responsibility to preserve water resources through innovative and collaborative practices. Here are some highlights of our water-saving initiatives:
Rainwater Harvesting at Chryso South Africa:
At the Chryso Jet Park facility, a rainwater harvesting system captures and collects rainwater for use in diluting the plant’s wastewater. This initiative has significantly reduced municipal water consumption and associated costs. Additionally, Chryso is collaborating with local universities to explore technologies for water treatment and reuse, striving for 100% water reuse. This commitment to a circular economy minimizes discharge into municipal systems and enhances sustainability.
a.b.e®'s Product Innovation and Water-Saving Initiatives:
a.b.e® is making strides in water sanitation infrastructure through advanced products that enhance water management and reduce wastage. At the Mauritius plant, effluent water generated during cleaning processes is now reused in the production of water-based products. This innovative practice, implemented in 2023, reduces water wastage and supports sustainable manufacturing, reinforcing a.b.e®'s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Gyproc Water Recycling Systems:
Gyproc has integrated innovative water recycling practices at its Brakpan plant, significantly reducing reliance on freshwater during the production process. A standout project is the Dryer Heat Exchange Condensate Recovery system in South Africa. By capturing moisture from the plasterboard drying process, the plant saves an impressive 2,708 m³ of water annually. This forward-thinking approach emphasizes Gyproc’s dedication to sustainable manufacturing and water conservation.
Looking to the future:
Water scarcity is a challenge that demands urgent attention. It is a call to action for the construction industry. By leveraging innovation and fostering collaboration, we can reduce our water footprint, build resilience, and contribute to a sustainable future. At Saint-Gobain Africa, we are committed to driving this transformation alongside a stakeholder ecosystem to preserve water resources for generations to come.
Let’s answer this call to innovate and collaborate. Together, we can make a difference, drop by drop.