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The only responsible reaction to the world’s water challenge – which poses a long-term threat to the foodservice industry and society as a whole – is a collaborative, public policy-driven response, according to a new report from Nestlé.

The Meeting the Global Water Challenge report, released to coincide with International World Water Day today, catalogues the work the global food and drink group has done in this area and outlines its continuing commitment to using water sustainably.

The report says Nestlé’s main achievement in the UK has been the reduction by 30% since 2006 of the volume of water it uses. Previously the company had set itself to the target of reaching this target by 2020.

Neil Stephens, managing director of Nestlé Professional said it had been achieved through a range of measures, including the installation of a new £500,000 waste treatment plant at the Girvan site to the reduction by 25% of the amount of water taken in at the Fawdon factory through the removal of cooling towers and the installation of new washing systems.

The company was also looking at using steam more efficiently; one such project had resulted in a 70% reduction of steam consumption, representing a saving of 35% of the site’s total usage.

“Responsible water management is embedded into all operations – both in the UK and globally – with the aim for the future being to be the most efficient water user among food manufacturers.

“We depend on reliable access to clean water at every level in order to continue to meet the needs of our customers and in turn, their customers.

“However, while important, we know that improving efficiency will only take us so far.

“Meeting the rest of the challenge will require collaboration between policy makers, society, agriculture and industry to significantly improve the way we value, use and manage this precious resource.”

Today’s World Water Day was also marked by other food and drink companies across the UK as part of the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) ‘Every Last Drop’ campaign.

More than 100 food and drink companies have been engaged with the campaign and as well as Nestlé, several others have launched new activities.

For example. Coca-Cola Great Britain and Coca-Cola Enterprises will be announcing a new three-year partnership with WWF-UK to conserve and protect English rivers.

And foodservice wholesaler distributor 3663m, Nestlé Professional and contract catering company Elior have announced they will collaborate and share best practice on reducing the impact of water use across the food supply chain.