Water

The UN estimates that more than two billion people currently live in areas where available water resources are insufficient to meet the population’s year-round needs⁽¹⁾. This phenomenon is set to worsen with climate change and is expected to affect one in four people by 2050.

Freshwater reserves are useful for TotalEnergies’ activities, but they may be affected by our operations, especially due to the volume of water withdrawals or the substances released. That is why we are striving to limit the hydrocarbon content of our water discharges while reducing our usage of fresh water, especially for sites located in water-stress areas.

Our environment indicators (XLS)

⁽¹⁾ Source: UN-Water/UNESCO - Imminent risk of a global water crisis. ↑

© Augustin Detienne - Capa Pictures - TotalEnergies

Limiting hydrocarbon discharges into water

To reduce the hydrocarbon content of the discharges from our sites, we have drawn up rules and systems that apply to all the Company’s affiliates.

After analysis, the exposed sites are equipped with reduction systems that include organizational and specific technical measures depending on the sites, such as wastewater treatment plants. All refineries controlled by TotalEnergies currently have this type of system. For new facilities developed by the Company, we consistently carry out impact assessments and, if necessary, take action to limit the impact.

In terms of the quality of the water discharged from our onshore and coastal sites, our target is to divide by 15 the maximum hydrocarbon content expected in these discharges by 2030. To date, 82% of onshore sites comply with this strengthened 1 mg/l target. Studies have been launched to improve discharges from sites that have not yet met the new target.

1 mg/l

Hydrocarbon content of water discharges below 1 mg/l for onshore and coastal sites by 2030

Find out how we are reducing our hydrocarbon discharges into water

© Patrick Sordoillet - Capa Pictures - TotalEnergies

Preserving fresh water

Fresh water represents 10% of the water used at our operated sites, and we have decided to focus our efforts on this precious resource to better protect it.

Our target is to reduce our overall⁽²⁾ freshwater withdrawals by 20% at our operated sites located in water-stressed zones⁽³⁾ between 2021 and 2030. To achieve this objective, some of our sites in water-stressed zones are currently involved in an initiative aimed at optimizing their water use and reducing their freshwater withdrawals.

Our basin-by-basin analyses have enabled us to identify the priority sites ⁽⁴⁾ covered by this target. Located mainly in Western Europe, they represent approximately half of the Company's total freshwater withdrawals.

Identified as a priority site, our refining and petrochemicals platform in Antwerp (Belgium), which is located in a water-stressed zone, has launched a project to reduce its freshwater withdrawals by 9 million m³ per year.

20%

Our target for reducing freshwater withdrawals at operated sites located in water-stressed zones between 2021 and 2030

Find out how we are preserving freshwater resources (PDF)

⁽²⁾ 20% is the target integrated in the reduction for each of the sites. This is an initial approach aligned with the definition of water stress. ↑
⁽³⁾ Water-stressed zone 2030: Water-stress zones as defined by WRI (zones in which withdrawals exceed 40% of available resources). ↑
⁽⁴⁾ To identify sites at risk of water stress, TotalEnergies conducts a survey of freshwater withdrawals at all its operated sites and evaluates them according to the WRI’s water stress indices. ↑

© Jan Karwowski - CAPA Pictures - TotalEnergies

GGIP project in Iraq: preserving the fresh water of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

As part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) that we are leading in Iraq, we have confirmed the terms of an agreement with the Iraqi government that includes provisions for building a treatment plant for the seawater that will be injected into the oil fields to maintain their pressure.

The treated water will replace the fresh water currently drawn from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which will help lower water stress in the area. Ultimately, the project will treat five million barrels⁽⁵⁾ of seawater every day.

Find out more

⁽⁵⁾ 200-liter water barrels. ↑

Uganda: taking action to provide local populations with access to fresh water

Access to water is fundamental for developing countries. We lead several Water, Sanitation And Hygiene (WASH) programs in relation to our operations.

As part of the Tilenga project in Uganda, our Kirama initiative has helped renovate wells for 3,000 beneficiaries in 10 villages in the Buliisa community. The project also involved supplying drinking troughs for animals, strengthening water user management committees, and supporting two associations of well maintenance mechanics.

Discover the Tilenga project in Uganda

Reducing our water withdrawals: the example of our Antwerp platform

Situated in an urban area subject to water stress, the Antwerp complex was our first Refining & Chemicals site to approve a large-scale project in 2022 to reduce its freshwater withdrawals.