CDP, a nonprofit organization that works with all types of organizations to measure and manage their environmental impacts, has recently released its "Water A-List" for 2016, a compilation of those companies and organizations that are taking significant steps to improve water security and efficiency.

"Water security" issues include such things as droughts, flooding, and deteriorating water quality and infrastructure, all of which can impact companies and communities and are likely to be growing global problems in years to come.

The A-list includes those companies that have taken "accelerated action," according to CDP, in managing water consumption, improving water efficiencies, and, by doing so, becoming less vulnerable to droughts and other conditions that may affect their business operations.

To create the list, 617 institutional investors asked about 1,100 of the world's largest publicly listed companies that could be vulnerable to changes in water conditions what actions they are taking to adapt and respond to worsening water conditions around the world. Based on the responses, eight companies made the A-list-among them two American companies: Colgate Palmolive and Ford Motor Company.

Responding to being named part of the "Water A-List," Andy Hobbs, Ford director, Environmental Quality Office, says, "Access to clean, affordable drinking water is a basic human right. We have worked diligently to...reduce our water use while introducing innovative manufacturing technologies to help us achieve these goals."

Other companies on the list include these:
 • Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. (Japan)
 • Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (South Africa)
 • Kumba Iron Ore (South Africa)
 • Metsä Board (Finland)
 • Rohm Co. Ltd. (Japan)
 • Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan)

"What these companies are doing is essentially making themselves 'water resilient,'" says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., manufacturers of no-water urinals. "They are taking a prudent approach to managing water so that they become less affected by water-related challenges. It's time more companies took such steps."