The European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC) and the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) have released the latest publication in their sustainability series: EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 4: Water Use. This guide focuses on helping the geotechnical industry reduce water consumption and improve the management of water-related impacts across projects and operations.

Developed in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, the guide addresses one of the growing global sustainability challenges: responsible water use. With increasing water scarcity, climate-related pressures and stricter environmental expectations, the geotechnical sector has an important role to play in protecting freshwater resources and improving resilience.

The guide follows a practical “What – Why – How – Measure” structure, providing both strategic context and actionable recommendations for contractors, designers and project stakeholders. It explains how geotechnical activities interact with groundwater systems, surface water and construction supply chains, while highlighting opportunities to reduce water demand and minimise environmental impacts.

Topics covered include:

• Reducing the use of potable water on construction sites;
• Managing groundwater extraction and discharge responsibly;
• Reusing water in drilling, cleaning and construction processes;
• Minimising embodied water in construction materials such as concrete and steel;
• Applying Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and nature-based solutions;
• Improving water efficiency through design optimisation, procurement and equipment selection.

The guide also highlights the importance of measuring and monitoring water consumption, using Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), lifecycle assessments and recognised sustainability frameworks to support better decision-making and continuous improvement.

As part of the broader EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guides series, the publication supports the industry in adopting more sustainable practices and preparing for future environmental legislation, client expectations and climate-related risks. The guides are intended as practical support documents that share industry best practices and encourage continuous improvement throughout the geotechnical sector.

Sustainability Guides No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3

The first guide in the series, EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 1: Carbon Reduction, addresses SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 7 (Renewable and Clean Energy).

The second guide in the series, EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 2: Circular Economy, focuses on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

The third guide, EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide No. 3: Climate Adaptation & Resilience, addresses SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).