Water risk analyses and strategy for automotive manufacturing

Abstract

The availability of clean fresh water is an issue in many parts of the world. The water use by companies to perform their operations has become increasingly scrutinized as a result. However, some companies have found it advantageous to examine their water use and water risks to develop a strategy for becoming a better steward of the water resources. Some companies have found it advantageous to examine their water use and water risks to develop a strategy for becoming a better steward of water resources. This thesis examines the overall process of how water issues can be: A) accounted for and analyzed B) risks can be mitigated C) how the overall water picture can be viewed. Although the tools currently available do perform useful analyses, further standardization of metrics needs to occur before the results are truly cohesive. For example, water stress has largely been standardized, but a metric for drought risk has not. In addition, some of the results of the tools are not consistent, and further work is needed for the tools to be comprehensive. Additionally, this thesis examines the influences of direct and indirect water use and risks, such as the water use by employees and energy generation in the process of building vehicles. Understanding the indirect impacts of water use is important, and can sometimes be significantly more impactful than the direct water use. Companies or organizations that have comprehensive water strategies can eliminate risk, lower costs, and help become better stewards of the water supply on which life depends.