If no one leads on water, the world will run dry. Under current conditions, the World Resources Institute projects that our planet faces a 56% water deficit by 20301. The lasting effects of water stress impact the communities where we work and thrive, compelling businesses, governments and individuals alike to take urgent action. As a global leader in water, Ecolab releases the Ecolab Watermark Study every year to learn where and how to protect this finite resource. By understanding the views and needs of the general population, Ecolab builds the business case for positive change towards a water-secure future.
Key Insights From 2023
Across the general population, access to clean and safe water is a significant climate concern. Consumers hold governments and industries most responsible for water conservation, and they are willing to do their part to help. Consumers feel that businesses lack clarity on how to address the water crisis but believe that crisis can be addressed with proper and immediate action.
Percentage of consumers that list clean and safe water as a significant environmental concern.2
![Map of LA](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/LA_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=8672DCBDB696EB0A03CE2A64CF7766F1)
Latin America
![Map of China Mainland](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/China-Mainland_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=F377F25C099AC6FD4019C4C82DFC6DC5)
China*
![Map of US](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/US_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=19D6DB7226F77E7512C8F793156CB95B)
United States
![Map of EU](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/Europe_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=05608BEA91347074748E648AC4567AB6)
Europe
![Map of IMEA](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/IMEA_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=8F63147D05E488D082FE7704B1CC3246)
India/MEA
![Map of AP](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/Asia-Pacific_550x310-png.png?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=7D3E72DF0AF5450AB8D5C608B6B85971)
Asia Pacific
Percentage of consumers who have stopped using/purchasing products because of how much water it takes to manufacture them.3
![75% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_China_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=D1853626B57342474FD9ED71C43816CD)
China*
![66% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_LA_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=F8D1880720470D168E6413B48AF24EDE)
Latin America
![65% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_IMEA_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=5A4D494E70636E1381947ECD572B639B)
India/MEA
![40% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_EU_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=50149E86EDBEDD20C8A016B459718A66)
Europe
![38% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_AP_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=3F67E2487DBDE855DDA8B40AB5346DEE)
Asia Pacific
![37% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/SP_US_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=27B13510932DE0AF32E60615920BB32F)
United States
Percentage of consumers who believe manufacturers/businesses lack clear guidance and/or plans to combat water scarcity.3
![82% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_China_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=CE1331163F99EFEEE4311D141AF170C0)
China*
![78% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_LA_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=1606D54BD624A554361D0084B2E73DDF)
Latin America
![78% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_IMEA_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=B9578AD9CA70C3D6582E4EC3DC3014A9)
India/MEA
![66% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_EU_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=C86C8416C2BF43C82A6D0DADAD4B7500)
Europe
![65% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_AP_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=21DD62F8F85B4E42E239370839CDB6D2)
Asia Pacific
![60% Donut Chart](https://www.ecolab.com/-/media/Ecolab/Ecolab-Home/Images/Sustainability/2023-Sustainability-Page-Updates/Watermark-Study-2023/PFS_US_550x310-jpg.jpg?h=310&iar=0&w=550&hash=E474D475DDF36D122880A879059569FB)
United States
- https://www.wri.org/research/achieving-abundance-understanding-cost-sustainable-water-future.↵
- Based on top-two box scoring of “very / somewhat concerned”.↵
- Based on top-two box scoring of “strongly / somewhat agree”.↵
*China research does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.
Advancing Water Stewardship
For over 100 years, Ecolab has worked to protect the resources vital to life by prioritizing water stewardship in our own operations and those of our customers. Across more than 40 industries worldwide, Ecolab helps businesses respond to climate and water challenges by minimizing their water use in critical processes. We help our customers drive lasting impact and achieve an exponential return on investment (eROI) by aligning climate, water, and business growth goals.
Our Expertise
Interested in water stewardship? Explore the following articles for news and trends related to water:
Our Solutions
With more than one trillion gallons of water managed annually, Ecolab combines Connected Chemistry™ with digital insights and industry expertise to drive sustainability and growth in tandem.
Learn more about how Ecolab can help you take a smart water management approach in your operations.
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Identify Opportunities with the Smart Water Navigator
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Take an Enterprise Approach with Ecolab Water for Climate™
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Manage Water Performance with 3D TRASAR™ Technology
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