> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/aqueduct-water-risk-atlas.md).

# Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas

Tool Description : A global water-risk mapping tool that helps investigators assess water stress, scarcity, flooding, drought and other water-related risks at specific locations.

| **Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas** | **Quick Overview**                                                                       |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| URL                           | <https://www.wri.org/applications/aqueduct/water-risk-atlas/>                            |
| What it does                  | Maps current and projected water risks worldwide.                                        |
| How to use it                 | Search a location and explore relevant water-risk indicators and projections.            |
| Cost                          | Free.                                                                                    |
| Account required              | No.                                                                                      |
| Cookies                       | A mixture of X/Twitter marketing cookies and WRI's RudderStack analytics cookies.        |
| Ownership                     | World Resources Institute (WRI).                                                         |
| Use in Reporting              | Assess water risks, support environmental investigations and provide geographic context. |

### What does Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas do?

Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas is essentially a global water-risk screening tool. It translates complex hydrological data into accessible indicators showing where water-related risks are concentrated.

The current Aqueduct 4.0 framework includes indicators covering water quantity, quality and other water-related risks, alongside future projections for selected indicators based on climate projections.

It can be used to investigate whether a location, company operation, agricultural area, infrastructure project or community is exposed to significant water-related risk.

**The lowdown:** It’s particularly useful for environmental, climate, corporate accountability and infrastructure investigations where water availability or water-related hazards are relevant.<br>

### How to Use:

**1. Search for a location using the interactive map or add locations for analysis. Multiple locations can be analysed and compared.**

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2FNt34Ja0WAci4cLNbdUyC%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=0abe8a19-da6b-4c2d-8a92-ee56360ab15e" alt="" height="500" width="602">

**2. Select the relevant water-risk indicators, such as baseline water stress, drought risk, flood risk, water depletion or variability. Aqueduct provides explanations for the individual indicators to help interpret the results.**&#x20;

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2FELTqjKSAUWMxMkNh4Ldm%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=e3cb3934-0c1a-4ae0-9375-1182baeae6e0" alt="" height="256" width="602">

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2F7JDkJ6Xwwm8Eb7IKSj6w%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=95c1d9db-cf48-4b16-a1c9-8b96f793cda6" alt="" height="263" width="602">

**3. Review the results and, where required, export the data as CSV or GeoPackage (.GPKG) for further analysis in tools such as QGIS. Record the relevant indicator, dataset version, location and timeframe when using results in reporting.**&#x20;

### Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Data Processing

### Account Required:

* [ ] Yes
* [x] No

The platform can be used to analyse locations and download results without creating a user account.

### Cookies:&#x20;

The site uses RudderStack analytics cookies to identify anonymous visitors, track sessions and record referral information. WRI also uses X/Twitter marketing cookies, including muc\_ads and personalization\_id, for advertising and personalisation. No authentication cookie was noted.

### Use in Reporting

Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas can be used to:

* Assess water risk at specific locations.
* Identify areas exposed to water stress or scarcity.
* Contextualise environmental and climate-related investigations.
* Compare water risk across sites, regions or assets.
* Support reporting on corporate and infrastructure exposure.
* Corroborate claims about local water-related pressures.

As a real-world example, [WRI mapped Owens Corning's facilities](https://www.wri.org/research/case-study-aqueduct-informs-owens-corning-corporate-water-strategy) (a multinational building materials manufacturer) against current and projected water stress to identify which operations faced higher water-supply risks.&#x20;

| **Capabilities**                                                          | **Limitations**                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Maps water risk across locations worldwide using standardised indicators. | Results are modelled estimates rather than direct measurements.        |
| Assesses risks including water stress, depletion, drought, and flooding.  | Baseline data is not real-time and may not reflect current conditions. |
| Compares water risk between different locations, sites, and regions.      | Future projections are scenarios rather than precise predictions.      |
| Provides historical baseline data and future risk projections.            | Global datasets may overlook important local or site-specific factors. |
| Allows results and datasets to be exported for further analysis.          | Data quality and accuracy depend on the underlying models and inputs.  |
| Supports GIS analysis using downloadable spatial data.                    | <p><br></p>                                                            |

### Summary

Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas fits best during environmental context, verification and risk assessment, helping investigators establish whether a location is exposed to water stress, depletion, drought, flooding or other water-related pressures.

However, it should be treated as a screening and contextualisation tool rather than standalone proof. Important findings should be cross-checked against local data, government records, scientific research, satellite imagery, field evidence or other independent sources.

### Ownership

Aqueduct is developed and maintained by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organisation focused on environmental and sustainability issues. It is co-developed and guided collaboratively with the Aqueduct Alliance, which includes corporate partners (such as Bloomberg, GE, and Shell) alongside government agencies and foundations.

### Ethical Considerations

* Verify modelled findings against independent local evidence.
* Do not present risk scores as proof of an environmental incident.
* Clearly distinguish historical data from future projections.
* Explain uncertainty when using modelled or aggregated results.
* Avoid overstating risks to communities or individual locations.
* Preserve dataset versions and methodology when citing results.

### Related Tools:

* Global Surface Water Explorer
* [OpenAerialMap](/osint-tools/openaerialmap.md)

#### Sources

<https://www.wri.org/applications/aqueduct/water-risk-atlas/>&#x20;

<https://www.wri.org/aqueduct>&#x20;

<https://www.wri.org/research/case-study-aqueduct-informs-owens-corning-corporate-water-strategy>