More than a main ingredient in our beverages, water is one of the most crucial resources essential to the health and survival of individuals, communities and our business.
This is why The Coca-Cola Company developed and adjusted various aspects of its value chain in order to achieve water leadership status. From ensuring that raw materials are grown with efficient water use, to bottling facilities with minimal impact on the water supply, to brining water access to water-deprived communities, and in ensuring that critical watersheds are cared for and conserved, the Company has stayed true to its commitment of returning to the communities and the environment every single drop of water used in the production of its beverages.
The beverage company initially looked at 2020 as the year to achieve 100 percent water replenishment, but this goal was achieved in 2015. To date, Coca-Cola has returned over 330 billion liters of water to the environment and the communities through various water programs and initiatives.
In the Philippines, the Company has audited an estimated 108 percent water replenishment rate through its various programs and activities, primarily through the Agos program. Under the program, Coca-Cola provides water access to 180 communities in rural parts of the country, developed more efficient water use in all bottling facilities, and contributed to the conservation efforts of critical watersheds.
From one end of the value chain, Coca-Cola has partnered with the Department of Agriculture to bring water access to small sugar farmers in impoverished parts of the country. Sugar is one of the key ingredients in the various beverages under the Coca-Cola line.
The Agos program of Coca-Cola Philippines has provided far-flung water-deprived communities with access to safe water through simple technologies such as ram pumps that elevate water without the need for electricity, gracity installations that bring water to lowlands, and rainwater catchment facilities.
To further serve the water-poor communities, Coca-Cola also deployed a mobile potable water treatment plant which produces 2,000 liters of potable water per day. Earlier this year, the water treatment plant has helped 4,300 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Upper Hinaplanon and Buru-un School of Fisheries evacuation centers in Iligan City. At present, the mobile potable water plant is being deployed across various barangays in Marawi and has served the water needs of 55,800 returning residents in the city.
Aside from giving back to communities, the Company returns water to nature by supporting the restoration and conservation of critical watersheds, including the Ipo Watershed-Sapang Munti and the Sapinit Sub-Watershed within the Marikina Watershed.
Despite achieving their global goal, Coca-Cola vows to continue with its commitment to returning to the community and the environment every drop of water used in the production of its beverages.
