Indicators 2.9.6–2.9.7

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System

Water Type

Feed Dependent

Species

Indicators 2.9.6–2.9.7

by Contact on 8 October 2026

Requirement

The UoC shall not abstract >50% volume of surface water. An exception applies if the UoC can demonstrate that the water abstraction is based on a minimum Vital Flow determined by a regulatory permit or scientific study.

The UoC shall return >90% of the abstracted surface water volume to its source.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Abstraction of water refers to the process of taking water from a natural source, in this case surface water.

  • Responsible abstraction, or a minimum vital flow, is important for mitigating impacts on freshwater ecosystems and water quality.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Records demonstrating the volume of water abstracted from surface water and the volume returned to the source from which the water was originally abstracted.

  • A minimum vital flow has been determined by a regulatory permit or scientific study, if the exception in Indicator 2.9.6 applies.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records have been presented which demonstrate the volume of water extracted from surface water and the volume returned to the source from which the water was originally extracted.

  • Evidence of a minimum vital flow determined by a regulatory permit or scientific body, if the exception in Indicator 2.9.6 applies.