Water Credit Projects

What Are Water Credits?

A Water Restoration Credit (WRC) represents a measurable volume of freshwater restoration. Terrapass offers BEF Water Restoration Certificates®, developed by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). Each certificate represents 1,000 gallons of water restoration, as defined by BEF's program, supporting freshwater systems in North America.

Much of the water we use every day goes beyond what comes out of our faucets. Water is also used indirectly through food production, energy, manufacturing, and the products we consume. WRCs give individuals and businesses an opportunity to support freshwater restoration projects as part of their broader water conservation and sustainability efforts.

How Water Credits Work

Water Credits support projects focused on restoring freshwater resources and improving water conservation. Depending on the project, these efforts may include:

• Restoring Water Flows: Supporting agreements that help keep water flowing in rivers and streams rather than being diverted for other uses.

• Restoring Natural Systems: Supporting the rehabilitation of wetlands, meadows, and other freshwater habitats.

• Improving Water Efficiency: Supporting improvements to irrigation and water infrastructure that help reduce water loss.

BEF uses third-party verification processes to evaluate eligible water restoration projects. Certificates are also recorded through a registry to support tracking and accounting of the associated restoration volumes.

Why Water Restoration Matters

Freshwater resources support communities, agriculture, fish and wildlife habitats, and recreation. However, many watersheds face increasing pressure from drought, growing water demand, and competing uses.

Purchasing WRCs helps fund projects focused on freshwater restoration and conservation. For individuals, it's an opportunity to support water restoration beyond everyday conservation efforts. For businesses, WRCs can complement existing water stewardship programs and broader sustainability initiatives.

WRCs are not a substitute for reducing water consumption, nor do they eliminate an individual's or organization's water footprint. Instead, they offer an additional way to support freshwater restoration projects.

Depending on applicable program requirements, WRCs may also be relevant to certain sustainability reporting or certification initiatives, including LEED® and B Corp™.