Volume of wastewater treated by the organization during the reporting period.
Wastewater Treated (OI9412)
- Reporting Format Unit of Measure (PD1602)
- Metric Type Metric
- Metric Level Organization
- IRIS Metric Citation IRIS, 2021. Wastewater Treated (OI9412). v5.2.
Footnote
Organizations should footnote details about their wastewater treatment practices and all assumptions used. See usage guidance for further information.
Usage Guidance
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This metric is intended to capture how much wastewater derived from an organization's productive or operational processes is treated.
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Wastewater, or water that carries wastes, is usually a mixture of water and dissolved or suspended solids. Treatment aims to improve the quality of the wastewater before the remaining water is discharged back to the environment by reducing suspended solids, biodegradable organics, pathogenic bacteria, and nutrients. Wastewater treatment typically takes place over three levels: primary (mechanical), secondary (biological), and tertiary. Organizations may further specify the wastewater's level of treatment by disaggregating this metric by Water Treatment Level (OI9278).
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In some contexts, this metric can serve as an indicator of whether the outcome being sought by an investor or organization is occurring (the WHAT dimension of impact). For more on the alignment of IRIS metrics to the five dimensions of impact, see IRIS+ and the Five Dimensions of Impact (https://iris.thegiin.org/document/iris-and-the-five-dimensions/). No single metric is sufficient to understand an impact; rather, metrics are selected as a set across all dimensions of impact. When possible, the selection of metrics to measure and describe the five dimensions should be based on best practice and evidence.
Impact Categories & Themes
SDG Goals & Targets
Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG Target 6.3
- SDG Target 6.4
Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG Target 8.4
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG Target 9.4
Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG Target 11.1
- SDG Target 11.6
Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG Target 12.2
- SDG Target 12.4
- SDG Target 12.5
- SDG Target 12.6
Joint Impact Indicators (JII)
Wastewater Treated (OI9412) is required for Joint Impact Indicator: Waste Water Treatment.
JII definition: Amount of wastewater treated to appropriate standards during the reporting period, measured in cubic meters. May also include the amount of untreated wastewater discharges avoided.
JII unit of measurement: m3 (wastewater)
Metric History
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June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
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May 2021 - IRIS v5.2 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
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January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
No change.
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May 2019 - IRIS v5.0 Released
No change.
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March 2016 - IRIS v4.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to metric name and definition language for clarity.
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March 2014 - IRIS v3.0 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
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November 2011 - IRIS v2.2 Released
No change.
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February 2011 - IRIS v2.1 Released
No change.
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September 2010 - IRIS v2.0 Released
Immaterial change. Wastewater Treatment (OI9412) replaced Water Treatment (OEN42). IRIS ID / metric name changed due to framework upgrade. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
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September 2009 - IRIS v1.0 Released
New metric. Water Treatment (OEN42) was developed via the Original IRIS Working Group.