SASB Water Utilities & Services
SASB
Guidelines for eco-friendly water services management.
The SASB Water Utilities & Services costs $0 USD. Renewal costs $0 USD.
Key Strengths
- Industry-specific metrics tailored to water utilities and services sector
- Widely recognized by institutional investors and ESG rating agencies
- Developed through rigorous multi-stakeholder industry working groups
- Enables comparability across peer companies for investor analysis
- Aligned with major frameworks including GRI, CDP, and TCFD
- Free to access and implement — no licensing fee required
Ideal For
This standard is best suited for water utilities, municipal water authorities, and private water service companies seeking to align their ESG disclosures with investor-grade reporting frameworks. It is particularly valuable for sustainability managers, investor relations teams, and ESG analysts at organizations that report to institutional investors or respond to CDP, GRI, or similar disclosure requests.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Scope
Overview
The SASB Water Utilities & Services standards help companies in the water industry report on sustainability. SASB, founded in 2011, aims to improve how companies disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. These standards cover water quality, water scarcity, customer impacts, and workforce safety.
Certified organizations use these metrics to guide responsible practices and improve transparency. Notable partners include industry leaders like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and CDP. Statistics indicate that many companies adopting SASB standards show better risk management and operational efficiency.
Businesses benefit from SASB certification by gaining investor trust, reducing costs related to waste and inefficiencies, and enhancing their reputation. Large clients often include municipal water utilities and private water service providers, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water management in delivering reliable services.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Organizations self-report against the SASB Water Utilities & Services disclosure topics and associated metrics, which cover areas such as water quality, water scarcity, energy management, and workforce health and safety. No formal third-party audit or certification body is required by SASB itself; however, companies may choose to have disclosures independently assured. Disclosures are typically published in annual reports, sustainability reports, or SEC filings.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
There is no formal exam or audit process associated with the SASB Water Utilities & Services standard. Organizations self-report against the defined disclosure topics and quantitative metrics. Disclosures may optionally be subject to independent third-party assurance, but this is not mandated by SASB. The standard defines what to report, not how reporting is verified.
Renewal & Compliance
SASB standards are periodically reviewed and updated by IFRS Foundation (which absorbed SASB in 2022). Organizations are expected to apply the most current version of the standard in their disclosures. There is no formal renewal cycle or recertification requirement; companies simply continue to report annually using the current standard.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Salary & Market Value
As a reporting framework rather than a professional credential, the SASB Water Utilities & Services standard does not have direct salary impact data. However, sustainability professionals with expertise in SASB reporting frameworks are increasingly sought after, with ESG-focused roles commanding a premium in the market.
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations outside the water utilities and services sector will find limited applicability, as the metrics are highly industry-specific. Companies seeking a broad sustainability certification with a public-facing seal or badge should consider alternatives like ISO 14001 or B Corp, as SASB standards are primarily a reporting framework rather than a certifiable credential.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2018