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Water scarcity, climate pressures and growing expectations around corporate responsibility are reshaping the future of food and beverage. Few brands sit as close to the heart of this conversation as Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, where resilience, stewardship and community partnership are increasingly integral to strategy.

At the centre of this transformation in the UK is Abby Felstead, Sustainability Manager at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages, who plays a leading role in translating global commitments into meaningful basin-level impact. With a background in environmental management and a passion for collaborative water solutions, Abby is helping steer projects that go far beyond operational efficiency—reaching into the ecosystems and communities that rely on the same water sources.

In the lead-up to her session at World Water-Tech, we sat down with Abby to explore how Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is progressing against its stewardship goals and what’s next for 2026 and beyond.

1. How is Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages advancing on its water stewardship commitments, moving from internal efficiency to basin-level resilience?
Our approach to water stewardship goes far beyond optimising our own operations. Globally, we are committed to strengthening local water cycles in ways that contribute to a positive water impact. Because every watershed faces unique pressures, our solutions are tailored to local needs and are developed collaboratively with water users, community partners, environmental groups and technical experts.
A major milestone in this journey came in 2025, when we certified all 39 Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages bottling sites to the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard. This certification evaluates responsible water use across a wide array of criteria, from governance to hydrological outcomes. Achieving this across all sites demonstrates how seriously we take our role as steward of local water resources and our commitment to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

2. What are some of the projects you have been working on, and how do they support your commitments? What can we expect to see in the next year?
We’ve been investing in projects that restore natural water systems and enhance long‑term basin health.
In Derbyshire, we supported the re‑meandering of the River Ecclesbourne, returning the waterway to its original channel and re‑establishing its natural flow. This work has opened 28 km of river for fish migration; an important step in improving biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Meanwhile in Pembrokeshire, we worked on the restoration of Wallis Pond, which had accumulated significant silt and sediment over the years. By restoring the pond to its natural functioning state, we’ve helped achieve an 11.55% reduction in total nitrogen and a 0.6% reduction in phosphorus, improving downstream water quality across the Cleddau catchment.
Looking ahead, our priority is long-term impact. We’ll continue to monitor these restoration sites, work closely with local communities, and partner with experts to share knowledge, strengthen resilience, and address emerging water challenges as they arise.

Abby will dive deeper into these strategies, lessons learned and what’s next during her session: Corporate F&B Water Strategies: How Can We Drive Stewardship & Deliver Impact at Scale?  at World Water-Tech in London on February 24-25. 

Don’t miss the chance to hear firsthand how Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages is delivering positive water impact and shaping the future of corporate water stewardship. Book your ticket today at www.worldwatertechinnovation.com/book-tickets