From water risk to water strategy: how do you make your business resilient?

As Flanders faces renewed heatwaves and drought, the pressure on businesses keeps building: water is becoming scarcer, regulation stricter, and the impact on operations increasingly tangible. Yet the risk often only becomes visible once it's too late − during a dry summer, a restriction on groundwater extraction, or when a supplier is forced to scale down. This article shows how to move from water risk to water strategy.

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Our region is among the most water-stressed in Europe. According to the World Resources Institute's Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, water demand in Flanders already structurally exceeds supply. Flanders has a negative water balance, and pressure on groundwater keeps rising year after year.

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The causes reinforce one another. Intensive agriculture and industry both require substantial volumes of water. High levels of soil sealing mean rainwater infiltrates less easily. And climate change is driving extremes: heavier downpours that overwhelm rivers and sewer networks, alternating with longer dry spells that deplete water reserves. The dry summers of 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2025 were not exceptions − they were signals of a structural shift.

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For water-dependent businesses − in sectors such as food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and paper − this translates into concrete risks: water scarcity, restrictions on groundwater extraction, stricter water discharge standards, and rising costs for water intake and treatment.

July 28, 2026

Katelijne Norga

Water and marine materials

Climate

Governance

Beyond the company gate

Companies that look only at water use on their own site see just part of the picture. Water risk often lies further upstream too − with suppliers of raw materials, ingredients or semi-finished goods, frequently based in regions under high water stress. A sugar supplier affected by drought. A packaging producer that must meet stricter water and discharge requirements. Any of these links can put the continuity of your business under pressure.

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This broader perspective is increasingly embedded in reporting frameworks and international standards. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its related ESRS E3 standard, for example, require companies not only to map their own water use, but also to analyse their dependencies and impacts across the entire value chain. Materiality is the key word: if water is material to your activities, or to those of your suppliers, you will often need to report on it.

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From obligation to strategy

Treating water purely as a CSRD reporting obligation is a missed opportunity − and a risk in itself. Companies that currently lack visibility into their water use, dependencies and risks are increasing their own vulnerability.

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The physical risks are real: disruption in production due to drought or flooding, higher operational costs from rising water intake and treatment expenses, or permit issues as regulation − such as new European legislation on discharge to surface water − becomes stricter.

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Transition risks are growing as well. Customers increasingly expect demonstrable sustainability efforts. Investors are scrutinising ESG performance more critically. In short, water is no longer a topic for the environmental department alone − it belongs in the boardroom. Companies that invest in a water strategy now are building a lead in resilience, compliance and credibility.

Case: Astra Sweets invests in future-proof water management

The collaboration between Pantarein and Astra Sweets shows what a strategic approach to water as a material topic can look like in practice.

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For this confectionery manufacturer from Turnhout, water is an essential raw material. Prompted by growing awareness of water stress in Flanders, the company wanted a thorough analysis of its water use.

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Pantarein first mapped water impacts, dependencies and climate-related risks, both on-site and across the value chain. This showed that the direct impact on the regional water supply is limited, but that dependency on available, clean water is considerable.

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Building on these insights, we developed an adaptation plan with strategic recommendations, targeted measures and a concrete water policy built around four priorities: efficient water use, prevention of pollution, sustainable water management and climate adaptation. For each priority, objectives, policy lines, responsibilities and KPIs were defined.

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In parallel, sister company Pantarein Water examined two technical future scenarios: treating wastewater with high sugar content combined with energy recovery, and mandatory rainwater recovery. These solutions could not only ease water stress but also generate cost savings. Lab tests are currently under way to confirm the assumptions made during the feasibility study.

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“Thanks to Pantarein's thorough analysis, we now have well-founded insights that strengthen our strategic decision-making.”

Jan Verhaert, Project Management Officer, Astra Sweets

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Read the full Astra Sweets case study.

Our services

A well-considered water strategy requires both strategic insight and technical expertise. That's why Pantarein joins forces with sister company Pantarein Water, which develops circular water solutions for industry. This cross-pollination allows us to support companies through their entire water journey, from A to Z.

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Water impact and risk analysis
We map water dependencies, impacts and risks both on-site and across the full value chain. Using scientific climate data, we determine what is material for your business.
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Water strategy and water policy
We translate the analysis into a concrete policy with priorities, objectives, measures, responsibilities and KPIs − a solid foundation for strategic decision-making.
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Water audit and feasibility study
We analyse water flows, processes and water composition, and examine which solutions best fit your business processes.
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Water treatment and water reuse
From membrane filtration to biological treatment, and from rainwater recovery to the reuse of treated wastewater: Pantarein Water develops and implements circular solutions that reduce water use and increase resilience to water scarcity.

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From strategy to technology, from risk analysis to concrete installation: Pantarein is your single point of contact for everything water-related.

From water risk to water strategy: how do you make your business resilient?

Beyond the company gate

From obligation to strategy

Case: Astra Sweets invests in future-proof water management

Our services

Ready to make your business water-proof?

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From water risk to water strategy: how do you make your business resilient?

Beyond the company gate

From obligation to strategy

Case: Astra Sweets invests in future-proof water management

Our services

Ready to make your business water-proof?

Share this article

Most recent

Making green claims that stand up to scrutiny: measurement and communication

Audit-ready of leesbaar? Een sterk CSRD-rapport is het allebei

Are your customers increasingly asking for an EcoVadis score? Here’s what you need to know