Clean water infrastructure and irrigated farmland with a subtle data overlay representing water footprint reduction and water credits investment returns.
Water Stewardship Investment

Water Credits Investments

Investing in Water Footprint and Virtual Water Trade

Water is the lifeblood of our planet, but using it sustainably is one of the defining challenges of our time. With MarillionEx, you can be part of the solution by investing in Water Credits linked to real, measurable water savings.

MarillionEx enables a practical pathway to fund sustainable water projects upfront by leveraging verified water reduction outcomes that become tradeable water credits. These credits can be bought by companies looking to reduce their operational and supply-chain water footprint and strengthen their water stewardship commitments.

Key Concepts: Water Footprint and Virtual Water Trade

Water Footprint

A water footprint measures the total volume of freshwater used directly and indirectly to produce the goods and services we consume.

It includes:

  • Agricultural production (irrigation, feed, processing)
  • Manufacturing and industrial processes
  • Energy generation
  • Domestic and municipal use

Understanding water footprints helps identify where the biggest water impacts occur—and where conservation and efficiency can deliver the strongest results.

Virtual Water Trade

Virtual water is the water "embedded" in products and commodities across their full supply chain—from production and processing to transportation.

When a country imports goods, it's also importing the virtual water used to produce them (e.g., importing wheat includes the water used to grow and process it). Virtual water trade highlights global interdependence, helps assess water scarcity risk, and supports smarter decision-making for water security—especially in water-stressed regions.

Why Companies Buy Water Credits

Many businesses (especially those importing agricultural commodities) carry a significant virtual water footprint through their supply chains. Water credits provide a mechanism to fund verified water-saving initiatives that improve efficiency and reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

By purchasing water credits, companies can support initiatives such as:

Efficient irrigation systems and improved on-farm water performance
Industrial water recycling and reuse programs
Water-efficient infrastructure upgrades
Catchment protection and restoration projects
Smart monitoring and leak reduction initiatives

These investments help strengthen water stewardship, reduce environmental impact, and support sustainability goals aligned with UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Opportunities Supported by Water Credit Investments

Efficient Irrigation Systems in Agriculture

Drip irrigation

High precision delivery to root zones

Precision sprinkler systems

Targeted watering based on need

Soil moisture sensors

Irrigate only when required

Micro-sprinkler systems

Reduced evaporation loss

Remote monitoring and control (IoT)

Optimized scheduling

Water-Efficient Landscaping

Native plants, smart controllers, rainwater harvesting, and low-loss irrigation strategies for commercial and public projects.

Golf Course Water Management

Turf selection, irrigation upgrades, and water-efficient maintenance practices that reduce consumption while maintaining playability.

Water Recycling and Reuse

Greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment technologies, and reuse infrastructure.

Water-Efficient Infrastructure

Low-flow fixtures, dual-flush systems, smart water meters, and other efficiency technologies in new or retrofit construction.

Typical Virtual Water Values in Common Foodstuffs

FoodstuffQuantityWater Consumption (litres)
Chocolate1 kg17,196
Beef1 kg15,415
Sheep Meat1 kg10,412
Pork1 kg5,988
Butter1 kg5,553
Chicken meat1 kg4,325
Cheese1 kg3,178
Olives1 kg3,025
Rice1 kg2,497
Cotton1 @ 250g2,495
Pasta (dry)1 kg1,849
Bread1 kg1,608
Pizza1 unit1,239
Apple1 kg822
Banana1 kg790
Potatoes1 kg287
Milk1 x 250ml glass255
Cabbage1 kg237
Tomato1 kg214

Investment Process for Water Credits

1

Understand the Impact

Learn how water credits support verified conservation outcomes and reduce water footprints across regions and supply chains.

2

Select Your Investment Volume

Choose a water credit investment volume that matches your goals—from smaller allocations to larger institutional-scale positions.

3

Fund Water-Saving Projects

Your investment supports practical initiatives like efficient irrigation, infrastructure upgrades, recycling and reuse, and conservation in critical sources.

4

Monitoring and Verification

MarillionEx supports robust monitoring and verification so investors and buyers can trust the integrity of water-saving outcomes.

5

Returns and Market Participation

Returns can be linked to the performance of water-saving outcomes and the sale/lease of water credits through the MarillionEx marketplace.

6

Support Sustainability at Scale

Your participation contributes to long-term water security, stronger communities, and more resilient ecosystems.

Water Credits Investments Annual Returns

M3 H2o$/UnitCO2/yr12345678910
100US$10265606366697377808489
500US$1,00010325300315331347365383402422443
1000US$2,00020650600630662695729766804844886
2000US$5,00040130012001,2601,3231,3891,4591,5321,6081,6891,773
5000US$10,000100325030003,1503,3083,4733,6473,8294,0204,2214,432
10000US$20,000200650060006,3006,6156,9467,2937,6588,0418,4438,865
20000US$50,000400130001200012,60013,23013,89214,58615,31516,08116,88517,729
50000US$100,0001000325003000031,50033,07534,72936,46538,28840,20342,21344,324
Year11121314151617181920Total Gross
10093981031081131191251311381441,897
5004654895135395665946246556887229,487
10009319771,0261,0781,1311,1881,2471,3101,3751,44418,973
20001,8621,9552,0522,1552,2632,3762,4952,6192,7502,88837,947
50004,6544,8875,1315,3885,6575,9406,2376,5496,8767,22094,867
100009,3089,77310,26210,77511,31411,88012,47413,09713,75214,440189,734
2000018,61619,54720,52421,55022,62823,75924,94726,19427,50428,879379,468
5000046,54048,86751,31053,87656,56959,39862,36865,48668,76172,199948,670

Note: Figures shown are illustrative estimates, not guarantees. Outcomes depend on project performance, verification, pricing, and market demand.

Investment Opportunity

Ready to Turn Water Stewardship Into Measurable Impact?

Invest in MarillionEx Water Credits and help fund high-impact water-saving projects—then participate in a transparent marketplace where verified water reductions can be traded to organizations working to reduce their water footprint.

Get your Water Credits Investment Pack or speak to the MarillionEx team to choose an investment volume and see projected returns.

Get In Touch