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Danone publicly launches SPRING:  a practical methodology to preserve water resources

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At Danone, we believe that water stewardship is a collective responsibility and a shared opportunity. 

That’s why we’re proud to publicly launch SPRING, our comprehensive methodology designed to empower site-level teams and organisations to take meaningful, practical action on sustainable water management. 

SPRING was presented during World Water Week, where we joined forces with representatives from WWF, Quantis, and the Pacific Institute to host a panel discussion focused on bridging corporate water commitments with on-the-ground impact. 

Danone's SPRING methodology is now publicly available on our website, offering practical tools and guidance to help organizations take meaningful, practical action on sustainable water management tailored to their local context.  

What is SPRING?

SPRING is the result of over 20 years of water stewardship experience at Danone. It presents a structured, step-by-step methodology that helps sites enhance their water management and resilience—both within their operations and across the watersheds they depend on. Danone is now making the SPRING tool publicly available to support collective progress on water stewardship.

Turning strategy into action

SPRING focuses on the operationalization of sustainable water management. At its core are ‘action cards’—clear, actionable guides covering five key pillars:

  1. Watershed Management

  2. Water Resource Management

  3. Water Circularity

  4. Wastewater

  5. Leadership

These cards are supported by a detailed guidebook that helps teams understand not just what to do, but how to do it.

Open to all

By making SPRING publicly available, Danone aims to support other companies—within and beyond the food and beverage sector—in strengthening water strategies. All core materials, including the action cards and guidebook, are available free of charge on our website.

SPRING is a living methodology, designed to evolve with feedback, innovation, and best practices. It was shared in advance with organizations such as the Pacific Institute to encourage peer input. The methodology also complements existing frameworks like AWS, CDP Water, GRI, and SBTN.

[We] commend Danone for developing detailed, clear, and well-structured resources… [which] fill an important gap in the global water stewardship toolbox

The Pacific Institute in its review of the SPRING methodology.

Ready to SPRING into action?

  1. Download & Explore: Access the SPRING materials online and assess how they align with your site’s needs.

  2. Pilot & Track: Start with one site, define your maturity ambition, and measure progress.

  3. Share feedback : SPRING is meant to be a living methodology, Danone welcomes feedback and suggestions from water stewardship professionals, implementers, and thought leaders: spring@danone.com 

Case studies

See below some of Danone’s sustainable water management case studies inspired by and from the SPRING methodology.

Indonesia

Watershed

Danone’s AQUA brand, Danone Ecosystem, The World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), Social Investment Indonesia, Rabo Foundation, Gadjah Mada University, Montpellier University and Pasuruan Government joined forces in Indonesia to protect the Rejoso watershed through the Rejoso Kita initiative. 

350+

Smallholder farmers took part in this initiative.

Water consumption efficiency increasing 30% in the paddy fields.

Various solutions were employed over 6 years such as sustainable paddy cultivation practices and well management for more efficient water use and healthier rice production. 

France

Water resources

The Evian Impluvium in France has been designated by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a site of international importance.

13

Number of communes in the public-private partnership with the Evian brand

since 1992

APIEME (the Association for the Protection of the Impluvium of Evian Mineral Water) is a public-private partnership between the Evian brand and the 13 communes around the Evian impluvium since 1992. It aims to ensure that the economic development of the region supports the preservation of the water resource.

France, Indonesia, Uruguay...

Water resources

Danone water experts have been collaborating with leading universities to develop knowledge of water resources surrounding our production sites.

20 years

Several publications have been released over the last 20 years by scientists

shedding light on the functioning of hydrogeological systems where Danone operates

India

Circularity

13ml/year

recycled water thanks to the innovative water recycling solution for fresh milk condensate

In India at our Lalru Specialised Nutrition site, we reduced water usage related to production site operations by over half. In addition to reducing and re-using water, the site also harvests rainwater, with the objective of returning twice the amount of water used by the production site to nature through groundwater areas.

Mexico

Wastewater

125,000+

m3 of waterwater treated

thanks to an investment in a new wastewater treatment plant and water reclaim program in the Valle De Mexico production site

The treated water is partially reused on-site with the rest shared with the local municipality to support natural ecosystem needs during the dry season.