Glaciers are surviving ice formations that remind us of the globe’s stark evolution since the Ice Age. World Water Day 2025’s theme is ‘Glacier Preservation,’ spotlighting these historic ice masses and their importance. While we know that deglaciation is an obvious indicator of the earth’s warming temperatures, what is the importance of glaciers and their impact on the water industry?
According to USGS, about three-quarters of the world’s freshwater is currently contained in glaciers, a staggering number considering that only 2.5% of the earth’s water is freshwater. Climate change is melting glaciers rapidly, exemplified through 2022 and 2023 data, which found the climate reference glaciers lost a volume of ice equivalent to nearly 26 meters of liquid water—roughly the same as slicing 94 feet of ice off the top of each glacier.
Warming temperatures don’t just pose a threat to glaciers but also to the water industry. Climate change increases the frequency and impact of natural disasters like flooding, droughts and run-offs that impact water quality. It also necessitates sustainable solutions as we try to preserve our glaciers and other freshwater resources. To combat warming temperatures, this World Water Day, it is imperative that individuals and organisations across all industries reduce their environmental impact.
Sustainability
To help combat climate change and save our glaciers, identifying where organisations can improve sustainability is crucial. One way is to reduce waste. Waste, including water, chemicals and plastic, all contribute to a company’s environmental footprint. To improve a building’s sustainability score, every organisation can implement water recycling and rainwater harvesting, renewable energy sources and recycling programs. Organisations in the manufacturing space can consider utilising recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials, energy-efficient machinery and sustainable cleaning agents.
In addition to waste reduction, establishing an environmental process that defines clear environmental goals like improving energy efficiency is essential. This provides a benchmark of what environmental impact assessments (EIA) should be conducted and tracked year over year. For guidance, ISO 14001: Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard can help companies demonstrate and meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals focusing on resource efficiency, waste and pollution reduction and climate action.
Organisations can go a step further by operating more eco-friendly and innovating sustainable solutions. Rainwater harvesting, low-energy desalination and filtration systems are sustainable innovations that have emerged as water technology that is more climate-friendly. As an industry, innovation doesn’t stop here and we must continue developing technology that meets more stringent environmental requirements.
Public Education
Recycling water for another purpose is not a new concept, as we have seen evidence of this since 3000 BC when early civilisations utilised wastewater for agricultural purposes. However, modern water reuse systems are still a new concept for the general public.
Similar to our ancestors, the general public is more accepting of water reuse for scenarios of non-potable uses like irrigation. However, it is still hesitant when it comes to potable uses. This makes public education on how the technology works and the safeguards in place imperative, as water recycling will be crucial to reduce water consumption. While public acceptance of technology like direct or indirect water reuse systems is growing, it is essential to continue educating consumers about their safety to continue adoption.
Education about what laws and regulations are in place will help provide consumers with some peace of mind that there are established requirements in place for the systems. International regulations such as EU WRR, EPA guidelines, the SDWA, and California’s Title 22 are all in place to help ensure safe and effective systems. Additionally, third-party standards like NSF/ANSI 350: Onsite Residential and Commercial Water Reuse Treatment Systems provide an extra layer of protection for verifying that the systems operate according to established industry standards.
Consumer Support
It is important to remember that while we all work within the water industry and are well-versed in many technical aspects, from technologies to terminology and more, the general public is not. Whatever water professionals can do to help make it as easy for non-technical experts to understand what a product does and what environmental impact it may have will help them make a positive environmental impact.
In addition to providing sustainable product options and operating more sustainably, organisations must offer transparent and honest marketing. Eco-labels and third-party certifications on products help clearly inform consumers of the environmental impact that product may have, such as the EU Ecolabel and Unified Water Label. The EPA’s WaterSense platform is another helpful way for manufacturers to help consumers make responsible purchasing decisions. The platform allows consumers to quickly understand a product’s environmental impact and search for more sustainable options. Lastly, providing an ESG report on an organization’s website is a clear indicator of where a company sits with its sustainability efforts and an easy way for consumers to conduct research before purchasing.
Impact
World Water Day 2025’s ‘Glacier Preservation’ theme is an important time for organisations to evaluate their environmental impact and make needed improvements. As the data shows, glaciers are a crucial storage of the earth’s precious freshwater resources, and they are melting at an alarming rate. With its direct impact on the general public and the water industry, it is in our best interest to do our part in reducing our environmental footprint.
Through improving sustainability, continuing to develop innovative solutions, providing public education to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies, and providing consumer support in purchasing decisions, we can help make a positive impact. We all can play a part in combatting climate change and creating a more sustainable future.
