At Providence, we believe that caring for people means caring for the environmental conditions that make health possible: clean air, safe communities and, critically, reliable access to water.
Water is fundamental to health care and can be easy to take for granted—until it becomes scarce.
This World Water Day (March 22), communities around the globe are reflecting on the role water plays in health, equity and resilience. The 2026 World Water Day theme, Water and Gender, reminds us that water challenges do not affect everyone equally—and that access to safe, reliable water is a matter of dignity, justice and health. Water insecurity hits the poor and most vulnerable first and hardest, deepening existing inequities and limiting opportunities for those who already face major barriers to well-being.
For health care, water stewardship is not just an environmental issue. It is a patient safety issue, a resilience issue and an ethical responsibility.
Health care runs on water
Hospitals are among the most water‑intensive facilities in our communities. Every day, water supports essential functions—from hand hygiene and sterile processing to cooling systems, food preparation and healing environments. Water is essential to caring for patients.
Yet many of the communities Providence serves are already experiencing increased drought risk, strain on municipal water systems and rising utility costs. Demand on water and wastewater infrastructure is growing at the same time climate change is making water supplies less predictable. These pressures directly affect the communities we serve—and the ability of health care facilities to remain open and responsive during times of stress.
This is why conserving water plays an important role in Providence's efforts toward environmental stewardship, climate resilience and our dedication to health for a better world.
The water–energy connection you don’t always see
One of the most important truths about water is also one of the least visible: water and energy are deeply connected.
Every step of the water cycle—producing, pumping, treating, heating and treating wastewater again—requires energy. That means:
• Every gallon of water we save reduces energy use
• Every unit of energy we save reduces water demand (Meldrum et al., 2013)
This water–energy nexus is especially important in health care, where both water and energy use are significant. Reducing water use helps lower greenhouse gas emissions while easing pressure on local water systems—benefiting both the environment and the communities around our facilities.
Through WE ACT, Providence’s pollution mitigation framework, we organize and track our environmental impact across key areas including energy and water. Water stewardship sits squarely within this work, helping us reduce pollution while supporting safe, high‑quality care.
Conserving water—safely and responsibly
Providence approaches water stewardship thoughtfully, pairing conservation with strong water management practices. Facility leaders possess a comprehensive understanding of water usage within hospitals, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies that safeguard patient safety and enhance the resilience of facility water systems.
From leak detection and equipment upgrades to more efficient cooling systems and low‑water fixtures, these efforts help ensure that conservation strengthens care delivery.
Measuring what matters
Accurate data about water use can help drive progress. Providence uses the WE ACT Scorecard to track environmental metrics across our system, including water and wastewater, usage, cost and carbon emissions. This visibility allows leaders and caregivers to see where opportunities exist, compare performance across sites and prioritize actions that reduce environmental harm while supporting operational excellence.
By understanding how water use connects to cost, carbon emissions and resilience, we can make smarter decisions that reflect our responsibility as a health care anchor institution in the communities we serve.
Water stewardship Is climate resilience
Providence recognizes that water stewardship is integral to developing climate resilience for health care. Climate-related events such as extreme heat, drought and wildfires, can rapidly compromise water supplies and disrupt hospital operations. It is vital that health care facilities remain open and reliable, especially for the most vulnerable populations during these emergencies.
To address this, Providence has integrated water stewardship into our climate resilience strategy. Through our We REACH framework, Providence is actively preparing for, responding to and recovering from climate-related risks by strengthening critical water infrastructure and ensuring continuity of care even in times of crisis.
In 2025, Providence took decisive action with the Climate Resilience Facility Assessment (CRFA), a comprehensive, cross-functional evaluation designed to pinpoint climate-related operational risks and turn those insights into prioritized improvements. The CRFA includes water stewardship and emergency water readiness at every facility—identifying where water efficiency practices are strong and where capabilities, such as emergency water storage, need improvement. These findings drive actionable steps, set minimum requirements and establish tracked metrics to ensure our sites are prepared to deliver safe, uninterrupted care during water-related climate shocks and stressors.
Looking ahead, Providence remains committed to building on these efforts—continuously enhancing water stewardship, emergency preparedness and climate resilience across our organization. By proactively addressing water-related risks and implementing practical solutions, we strengthen our capacity to care for communities, no matter what challenges arise.
World Water Day: a call to equity and action
This World Water Day, the global focus on water and equity invites reflection—and action. At Providence, environmental stewardship is rooted in our commitment to equity and justice. By reducing our own water use, sharing what we learn and partnering with communities, we aim to be part of the solution—protecting both human health and our common home, the natural environment.
In health care, every drop matters. And when water flows wisely, health has the chance to take root and grow. Help ensure the wise use of water in your community, so all may thrive.
References:
Meldrum, J., Nettles‑Anderson, S., Heath, G., & Macknick, J. (2013). Life cycle water use for electricity generation: A review and harmonization of literature estimates. Environmental Research Letters, 8(1), 015031.
