Published December 2021 | Updated May 2026
Ecolab’s Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico, Plant
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Case Study
Insights
As a global leader in water solutions and services, Ecolab remains dedicated to creating a more water-secure future through smart water management, conservation and stewardship. By 2030 we plan to continue to achieve a Net Positive Water Impact through:
- Reducing, recycling and replenishing water at operational sites. We aim to reduce water impact by 40% per unit production across our enterprise from a 2018 base year.
- Protecting local watersheds by working to restore greater than 50% of our absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.
- Delivering outcomes through the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by achieving AWS certification for Ecolab manufacturing sites located in high-risk watersheds.
- Ecolab’s manufacturing facility located in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico, is a key contributor to these goals. The Cuautitlán Izcalli facility primarily produces industrial cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
Its primary source of water is the Cuautitlán-Pachuca Aquifer. Domestic and industrial effluents are discharged into municipal drains that feed into the Río Cuautitlán after treatment.
The Cuautitlán Izcalli facility was identified as a priority location to pursue AWS certification to enhance the site’s smart water management approach, and implement innovative technologies to advance enterprise water goals.
Actions
To contribute to Ecolab’s enterprise water goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030.
The following projects help improve the facility’s water balance and have been implemented to reduce overall water use:
- Installation of a rainwater collection and purification system for use throughout operations
- Replacement of spray balls for optimized washout efficiency and to reduce wash water consumption
- Optimization of process equipment washout processes
- Reduction in water use for reverse osmosis and deionization system regeneration
- Improvements made to the hold tank washing system
- Installation of high-efficiency bathroom and locker room fixtures and valves
Outcomes
As a result of these actions, the Cuautitlán Izcalli site achieved savings in water and energy use. The improvements have proved to be a helpful step forward in enhancing the efficiency of the site's operations and advancing Ecolab’s sustainability goals.
To improve the overall health of local watersheds, and as part of Ecolab’s efforts to create 2030 Positive Impact, we have prioritized AWS certification in high-risk watersheds in which we operate.
Good Water
Governance
✓
Sustainable Water
Balance
✓
Good Water
Quality Status
✓
Important Water-Related Areas
✓
Water Sanitation and
Hygiene (Wash)
✓
Water Stewardship Journey
Ecolab is committed to sustainable water use in our facilities and collaboration with other businesses at the local level. In alignment with Ecolab’s commitment to a holistic approach to water management across its manufacturing facilities, in 2021, the company achieved Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Cuautitlán Izcalli site. The facility has continued to stay up to date on AWS requirements to uphold the core certification.
To identify shared water challenges in the Cuautitlán-Pachuca Aquifer, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas. Implementation of water withdrawal reduction projects were prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Ecolab’s water stewardship approach aims to make a positive impact within our operations and on the water challenges within the communities in which we operate. For the Cuautitlán Izcalli site and local stakeholders the top water-related challenges include water scarcity, water infrastructure, water quality, biodiversity and flooding.
To effectively address these challenges, Ecolab’s strong water stewardship approach strives for continuous improvement in sustainable site water balance and water quality. Our holistic approach includes a focus on important water-related areas (IWRA) and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and our continued progress across all these critical areas depends on our strong water governance.
Using Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ to quantify the progress made against the five AWS outcomes, the Cuautitlán Izcalli site is considered Water-Smart on the Water Maturity Curve. The Water Maturity Curve illustrates the quantified state of a site’s water strategy and management plan. A facility’s place on the curve is determined by a set of criteria that includes governance and strategy, target setting, water management practices and water stewardship. The criteria incorporate principles consistent with the five outcomes of the AWS framework, both emphasizing that strong water management includes continuous improvement and collaboration inside and outside the facility’s operations.
sustainable water balance
Sustainable Water Balance
Net Positive Water
A sustainable water balance and smart water management approach within our own operations is a critical component in achieving enterprise-wide net positive water impact. Aligned with the enterprise goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce the site’s annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The team at Ecolab’s Cuautitlán Izcalli site assessed the facility for opportunities to decrease water use across operations to meet Ecolab’s targets to create 2030 Positive Impact. Implementation of water reduction projects are prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
water Quality
Water Quality
Water Quality Approach
To maintain good process and wastewater quality, water is tested daily in addition to third-party wastewater testing every six months. The water is treated to remove colloids, sediment and hazards from the wastewater.
Prior to draining storm-water and discharging wastewater, facilities must visually inspect and test the effluent to confirm that it meets the local environmental requirements, permit limits or company standards. If there are no local environmental requirements or permit limits, company standards must be met for stormwater discharge into an adjacent waterway or wastewater effluent into a city sewer system. If a spill or water-related issue were to occur, the site has a robust incident response plan that includes a root cause analysis of the original incident, documentation in an internal reporting platform and communication of mitigation strategies. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request.
Water Governance
Water Governance
Water Governance Approach
At the plant level, the safety, health and environment (SHE) manager and the SHE department is responsible for wastewater testing and compliance and wastewater discharges. The site’s maintenance supervisor is responsible for sewage discharge, water consumption control and water savings projects and is accountable for the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, soft and deionized water and the rain collection system. Additionally, the SHE manager is responsible for water monitoring requirements, per Ecolab’s internal global supply chain environmental policy and any applicable external regulations.
The corporate environmental lead is available to consult on regulatory updates and wastewater compliance. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request, including necessary corrective action taken by the site to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, Ecolab’s CDP Report discloses any violations and associated corrective actions.
The corporate sustainability team is guided and advised by the Sustainability Executive Advisory Team (SEAT), which is made up of the company’s most senior business and divisional leaders. In addition, Ecolab’s Sustainability, Water Stewardship and Global SHE positions are publicly available and serve as commitments to and guidance on water-related issues and compliance. Ecolab’s Sustainability Position formalizes Ecolab’s global commitment to sustainability within the company and its impact on customers. Ecolab’s Water Stewardship Position reinforces Ecolab’s global commitment to responsible water stewardship by identifying opportunities for the company and its customers to use water resources in a manner that benefits business, communities and nature. Ecolab’s Global SHE position outlines the company’s commitment to excellence in safety, health and environmental practices and performance across global operations.
Important Water Related Areas (IWRA) // Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Important Water Related Areas (IWRA)
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Collective Action
In addition to internal operational improvements, Ecolab’s Cuautitlán Izcalli facility’s external water stewardship activities are ongoing. Shared challenges between the plant and relevant, local stakeholders include water scarcity, water infrastructure, water quality, biodiversity, and flooding. To address these shared issues, Ecolab collaborates with other water users in the basin. The Cuautitlán Izcalli site team has shared its AWS certification journey with over 30 businesses, non-governmental organizations and government institutions in the watershed. Additionally, Ecolab is a part of a coalition of businesses in Cuautitlán that addresses safety events in the area.
In 2019, 100 volunteers from the Cuautitlán Izcalli and Lerma, Mexico, sites partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and ProNatura to plant 2,000 trees in the community of San Andres Totoltepec in Mexico City in 2019.
In 2021, more than 90 volunteers for the Cuautitlán and Lerma plants helped build mobile cisterns for low-income families in the community of Piedra Grande, Huixquilucan, Estado de Mexico. These cisterns enable increased storage and filtration of water that can be used for human consumption, animals or food production. From this volunteer work, 20 families and more than 200 people benefit.
In 2023, the Cuautitlán Izcalli site joined three volunteer programs including leading a handwashing education event for a local secondary school. Site volunteers planted more than 600 trees and helped restore and maintain green spaces through various activities, including park cleanups, planting succulents, and supporting traditional chinampa agriculture in Xochimilco.
In 2024, Cuautitlán Izcalli site volunteers planted 320 trees in the Sierra de Guadalupe State Park to support ongoing reforestation efforts.
In 2025, 36 site volunteers participated in a community action day in Cuautitlán Izcalli, where 10 rainwater harvesting systems were installed in collaboration with United Way México and TECHO México. Additionally, associates participated in a volunteer event at Lago de Guadalupe, where efforts were focused on collecting and properly managing urban solid waste in collaboration with United Way México and the municipal environmental authority.
This case study was created to comply with AWS indicators 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.3.1. 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3. For more information, please contact sustainability@ecolab.com.
Water Stewardship Project Highlights
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