LimnoTech co-authored the water quality benefit accounting (WQBA) guidance document with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). WQBA is a widely vetted methodology that gives companies credible and pragmatic procedures for tracking progress toward water quality goals.
Provo River in Utah surrounded by riparian vegetation and trees on both sides of the river with more trees in the background. The sky is blue with white clouds. The water in the river is flowing with riffles as the water moves over rocks and root wads.

Location:
Global

Clients:
Food and Beverage, Technology, and Agriculture sectors

Partners:
World Resources Institute (WRI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Service Areas:

Our Expert:

  • Derek Schlea
  • Principal, Senior Agricultural & Ecological Engineer
  • dschlea@limno.com

LimnoTech has been at the forefront of water quality modeling throughout its history and has a world-class reputation as innovators in all aspects of the science and field. Drawing from this expertise, LimnoTech co-authored the water quality benefit accounting (WQBA) guidance document with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). WQBA is a widely vetted methodology that gives companies credible and pragmatic procedures for tracking progress toward water quality goals.

The Challenge

Until recently, corporate water stewardship goals have predominantly focused on achieving volumetric goals and quantifying the volumetric water benefits (VWBs) of water stewardship activities to track progress against the goals. There is now an increased interest in watershed health improvement and goals related to water quality, as well as other benefits (carbon, ecosystem, social, etc.) associated with such activities. Companies looked to LimnoTech and its partners to recommend water quality benefit (WQB) calculation methods that are technically robust and credible, yet relatively simple to implement.

How We Helped

LimnoTech, WRI, and TNC collaborated to publish the WQBA guidance document in the fall of 2025 (publication and release date to be determined). Seven corporate partners with commitments to improve the health of watersheds where they operate throughout the world supported the effort.

A six-step process for applying the WQBA methodology is outlined to help companies understand water quality issues in local catchments, identify potential implementation activities, quantify WQBs, formalize plans to attribute benefits, track progress, and communicate results. Expert water quality modelers at LimnoTech led the development of seven WQBA calculation methods that are well-suited for the types of water stewardship projects implemented by companies, as demonstrated by several case study applications and illustrative examples described in the document.

The publication and release of the WQBA guidance document represents an important milestone in the ever-evolving area of voluntary corporate water stewardship by opening the door for pursuing implementation projects that will make a positive environmental impact on both water volumes and water quality.

Projects

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