OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2016. With global demand for water projected to grow 55 percent by 2050, Ford is conserving more of this precious resource by refining water-heavy production processes as well as giving back to communities in dire need of fresh, potable water.

Between 2000 and 2015, Ford reduced its own water consumption by 60 percent – saving more than 10 billion gallons – while cutting per-vehicle production water usage by 61 percent through water-saving measures including:

• Three-Wet Paint Technology

• Dry Paint Overspray System

• Minimum Quantity Lubricant (MQL)

• Water Assessments and Internal Water Metering

• Sustainable Storm Water Practices

While nearly 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use, making the conservation of this valuable resource critical.

“At Ford, we see water as far more than an environmental concern,” said Andy Hobbs, director, Environmental Quality Office. “Access to clean, affordable drinking water is a basic human right. To that end, we have moved beyond merely reducing the water footprint at our facilities, to working to address water concerns with our suppliers and in the communities in which we work.


Expanding beyond its direct operations, in 2014 Ford launched a new environmental supply chain sustainability initiative, the Partnership for a Cleaner Environment (PACE), a cyclical process that builds upon best practices that show increases in sustainable processes for both energy and water.


The company has also increased its focus on water-related programs as part of its Global Week of Caring and Ford Fund projects by funding projects that provide clean drinking water facilities in many communities near its operations. 

Volunteers have gone further by restoring the water supply to a Philippine community, installing water pipes for rural residents in Argentina and setting up water purifiers at schools in India. 

If you have ideas on how to further reduce water use, please contact your manager or management team.