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CDP Water Security Scores Explained

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Understanding CDP Water Security scores

CDP Water Security scores are rapidly becoming a key benchmark for sustainability performance. For businesses disclosing to CDP, the score provides insight into how well water-related risks, governance, targets, and actions are being managed across operations and supply chains.
 
As stakeholders increasingly use these scores to assess organisational resilience, understanding what your grade represents is essential – whether your company is disclosing for the first time or seeking to improve performance.
 

How CDP scores are calculated

CDP uses a structured scoring methodology to evaluate disclosure quality and performance. While the full methodology is complex, it can be summarised in three areas:
 
  • Governance & Management – How water-related risks and responsibilities are assigned, monitored, and reported.
  1. Targets & Actions – Progress against water-related goals and implementation of strategies to mitigate risk.
  1. Risk Assessment & Supply Chain – Identification of water risks across operations and suppliers, and how these are managed.

Scores are graded on a letter scale from A to D, with additional recognition for leadership (A-list) organisations. A higher score signals strong governance, robust risk management, and proactive water stewardship.

Why your CDP Water Security score may differ from Climate Change scores

Many organisations notice a gap between their Climate Change and Water Security scores, and this is not unusual. Water risk is highly location-specific, varying by operational site, region, and supplier footprint, while the underlying data is often fragmented across multiple departments or systems. In addition, CDP applies different weightings to governance, targets, and supply chain actions in Water Security reporting compared with Climate Change. Understanding these differences helps organisations focus their efforts where they will have the most impact, rather than trying to simply replicate approaches used for Climate Change disclosure.

Interpreting your score

Your grade provides more than a number – it highlights where your organisation is strong and where improvements could have the greatest impact:
 
  • A / Leadership: Industry-leading approach, robust governance, and comprehensive water strategy.
  • B: Strong management with room for improvement in targets or supply chain engagement.
  • C: Disclosure meets minimum expectations but risks being overshadowed by peers.
  • D / Non-disclosure: Either partial or no disclosure; significant opportunities to improve transparency and risk management.

Practical next steps

Once you understand your score, the next step is to translate it into actionable improvement:
 
  • Conduct practice disclosures to benchmark current performance.
  • Perform a gap analysis to prioritise improvements efficiently.
  • Engage teams to assign responsibility and align internal resources.
  • Integrate water risk into wider sustainability and operational strategy.
Waterscan works with organisations at every stage of the CDP Water Security journey, from interpreting scores to improving performance and developing long-term water strategies. Contact us today to gain clarity and take the next step.
 

Why understanding your score matters now

With water becoming a critical lens for investors, customers, and regulators, clarity on your CDP Water Security score is no longer optional. Organisations that act early can make informed decisions, strengthen governance, and demonstrate leadership, while those who delay risk falling behind peers and stakeholders’ expectations.
At Waterscan, we work with organisations at every stage of the CDP Water Security journey. Our team can help you:
 
  • Understand what CDP Water Security disclosure involves
  • Gain clarity on your current approach or score
  • Identify priority areas for improvement and focus effort effectively
Whether you’re new to CDP or have disclosed before, our advisory services, workshops, and gap analyses provide practical guidance tailored to your organisation’s needs. To keep updated in the latest news, connect with us on our LinkedIn.