Water Footprint

We have had a methodology for calculating and reporting our water footprint since 2015, which enables us to analyze water‑related risks and opportunities based on a thorough understanding of its main components. This methodology is embedded in the Group’s environmental risk management and its double materiality assessment.

This methodology for calculation covers all of the Group’s companies that are under operational control. It has been developed specifically for our company based on the principles of The Water Footprint Assessment Manual (WFM),  Global Water Tool (GWT), and GRI-G4. These indices examine factors such as the country’s water stress, the impact on water resources, the impact on managing vegetation, and water quality and accessibility. This way, the global impact on this resource can be quantified. The water footprint data reported under this methodology reaches 100% coverage of revenues and is publicly disclosed.

Our water footprint is composed of three indices:

• The Business Water Index (BWI), which is related to water consumption and discharge for our activities.
• The Water Treatment Index (WTI), which is related to the impact on the resource caused by water treatment activity (WWTP, Wastewater Treatment Plant; IWTP, Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant; WTC, Water Treatment Center; and SDP, Seawater Desalination Plant).
• The Water Access Index (WAI), which is related to our water supply projects belonging to the Social Action Program.

Together, these indices allow Ferrovial to assess not only water consumption but also its positive contributions to water quality improvement and water access.

Water Consumption by Source

Water discharge

Objectives

Ferrovial has set a goal of reducing the Business Water Index (BWI) by 20% by 2030, using 2017 as the baseline. As of 2025, a reduction of more than 25% has been achieved compared to the 2017 baseline. These targets apply to both the construction phase and the use phase of projects and take into account the level of water stress in the regions where the Group operates.

Additionally, Ferrovial has established an Annual Water Footprint Compensation Target based on the ratio (WTI + WAI / BWI) ≥ 70. In 2025, 175 times the BWI was compensated (126 in 2024). This target takes into account the improvement of water quality, as the BWI is offset by the positive impact of the Water Treatment Index (WTI) and the Water Access Index (WAI).

Water Policies

We recognize that water is a limited, non‑renewable natural resource that is directly related to global change and is a necessary, fundamental element in the circular economy.

In our role as both a consumer and provider of services associated with water resources, Ferrovial promotes responsible and efficient water management across its activities and value chain, integrating water considerations into its environmental and sustainability policies.

Principles

• Compliance with current legislation and regulations on water, as well as with international reference standards and internal specifications, directing management toward the highest quality standards.
• Support in developing regulatory frameworks geared toward efficient and sustainable water usage.
• Responsible and efficient management of the resource, considering the entire water cycle and favoring social development and ecosystem conservation.
• Seeking solutions to the growing demand for drinking water and quality deterioration due to pollution.
• Establishing indicators, objectives, monitoring procedures, and strategies that allow for continuous control and evaluation of efficient water management in direct operations, optimizing the balance that informs the Group’s water footprint.
• Support for developing and using new technologies that allow for more efficient use of water.
• Integration of water use and management into the company’s environmental risk management strategy.
• Communication of the results of comprehensive water management at the company.
• Participation in international water disclosure initiatives and transparent reporting on water performance.

Water efficiency

Ferrovial is committed to sustainable practices and responsible management of water resources. The company has implemented actions to address environmental challenges related to water resources, including in high water stress areas. These actions are carried out on an ongoing basis depending on the type of project and include the following good practices:

• Installation of water saving devices at the majority of projects (more than 50% of new projects in the past two years), such as low flow taps and showers (less than 4–6 l/min) and low flush toilets with dual discharge systems, resulting in lower water consumption.
• Monitoring of water consumption using water meters and submeters at appropriate locations in construction projects (e.g. Heathrow Airport).
• Reuse of water for washing machinery and other onsite uses (irrigation of roads, embankments, etc.).
• Grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting, including rainwater collection tanks in Cintra projects and a high performance vehicle wheel wash system with water recycling at KAD Substructure (Heathrow Airport), which operates as a closed loop system and reduces energy use by approximately 50%.
• Measures to reduce water consumption during construction processes, such as reduced irrigation volumes for dust suppression through the use of bischofite (Rutas del Loa, Chile) and the use of hydromulch in erosion and sediment control practices, reducing water use by around 40%.

Ferrovial has participated in the CDP Water Security programme for the last nine years and achieved an A‑ rating in the CDP Water questionnaire in 2025.

Review our Water Policy here.