Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages has certified all 39 of its bottling sites under the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard, becoming the first beverage company to achieve certification across its entire global network.

According to the company, the certification applies to bottling facilities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia after site-level assessments and independent verification.

Two facilities—Buxton in the United Kingdom and Tunuyán in Argentina—received Platinum certification, the highest level under the AWS framework.

The AWS Standard is an international framework that assesses water governance, sustainable water use, water quality, protection of water-related ecosystems, and stakeholder engagement. Certification requires independent audits and periodic reviews to maintain compliance.

Nestlé said the certification is part of its broader approach to water management as businesses face increasing pressure from water scarcity, climate change and growing demand for freshwater resources.

According to the company, maintaining certification across all sites will require annual assessments and continued implementation of the AWS Standard.

Alongside the certification, Nestlé said it is supporting 70 water regeneration projects globally. The company estimates these projects currently generate annual water benefits of 14.1 million cubic metres using the volumetric water benefit accounting methodology developed by the World Resources Institute.

The projects include watershed restoration, sustainable agriculture, habitat conservation, and measures to improve water availability and quality in areas where the company operates.

Nestlé also outlined several ongoing investments linked to water resource management. In France, the Agrivair Garrigue programme represents a $27 million investment over five years focused on agriculture, ecosystem restoration and water quality in the Gard region.

In Italy, the company said it has invested $33 million in watershed protection and biodiversity initiatives. It also plans to invest an additional $44 million through 2030 under its F.O.N.T.E programme to support environmental and community projects in selected catchments.

The company announced that it will continue its partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which provides scientific guidance on water management and nature-based approaches to watershed conservation.

The Alliance for Water Stewardship said internationally recognised standards can provide a common framework for organisations managing water-related risks. Nestlé stated that it will continue annual monitoring and independent verification to maintain certification across its global operations.

The announcement comes as companies in water-intensive sectors face increasing scrutiny over freshwater use, watershed protection and long-term water security.