TL;DR There isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish your to-do list, let alone time to research time savers. So, let’s cut to the chase. We’ve outlined exactly what to look for in industrial water reporting software to make EHS compliance and sustainability reporting easier. The highlights include: flexible integrations to unite all data sources, permit tracking and tasking, support for samples and analytical data, spatial and visual analytics, audit controls, configurable reports, scalability and adaptability. That’s a lot. Let’s dig in. 

Industrial water reporting software helps manage risk, reduce costs, and improve sustainability performance  

In today’s regulatory and ESG-conscious environment, industrial water reporting tools are a mission-critical component of environmental compliance and resource management strategies for manufacturers and industrial companies. 

From the complexities of NPDES permits to stakeholder expectations around water stewardship, companies face increasing pressure to track, report, and optimize water use and discharge across facilities and operations. Accurate, real-time water data is not just about remaining compliant; it’s about managing risk, reducing costs, and improving sustainability performance. 

This article explores why water reporting tools are so essential for industrial sectors, and the features EHS professionals should prioritize when selecting a solution.  

Why water reporting matters to industry 

1. Regulatory Compliance

Industrial operations often fall under stringent water-related regulations, such as: 

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. 
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).
• Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits.
• State-level water use and quality regulations. 

Failure to comply can lead to fines, shutdowns, and reputational damage. Manual tracking methods and siloed data systems increase the risk of missing reporting deadlines, misreporting discharge volumes, or exceeding permit limits. Locus software can help. 

2. Water Scarcity and Resource Risk

In many regions of the U.S., water stress is rising. Industrial users are under pressure to demonstrate efficient water use, both to secure long-term operational viability and to meet stakeholder expectations. 

Effective water data management software like Locus enables: 

• Reduction of unnecessary withdrawals and wastewater production 
• Identification of reuse and recycling opportunities 
• Visibility into site-specific water efficiency.

3. ESG and Voluntary Disclosures

Investors and customers increasingly expect transparent, auditable water data as part of corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting and CSRD disclosures.  

Frameworks such as: 

• CDP Water Security 
• SASB standards for manufacturing 
• GRI 303: Water and Effluents 

…all require quantitative water metrics. Without the right tools, compiling this data can be time-consuming, error-prone, and disconnected from operational reality. 

What to look for in industrial water reporting software 

Choosing the right platform can determine whether your EHS team spends hours wrestling spreadsheets, or if the team gains instant, actionable insights.  

Here are the key capabilities that matter most and that are fulfilled by Locus software: 

1. Automated Data Collection and Integration

The best tools integrate directly with: 

• Flow meters and SCADA systems. 
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and/or EDDs.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and business intelligence tools. 
• Existing EHS and sustainability platforms. 

Centralizing all data in a secure cloud platform ensures consistency, reduces manual entry, and improves confidence in reporting accuracy. 

2. Permit Tracking and Limit Management

Industrial dischargers must comply with permit-specific conditions that vary by site and jurisdiction. Look for software that: 

• Maps permit requirements to specific outfalls, analytes, and flow limits. 
• Flags exceedances or missing data.
• Automates the preparation of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs).
• Maintains historical data for audits and renewals.

This ensures that compliance is embedded directly into daily operations, not just checked at the end of the reporting cycle.  

3. Sampling and Laboratory Coordination

Water sampling and lab analysis are core components of industrial compliance. Robust platforms like Locus: 

• Track sample plans, events, chains of custody, and lab results.
• Provide automated QA/QC checks.
• Link lab results to relevant permits and reporting obligations. 

Centralizing sample data improves visibility and traceability, which is especially important across multiple sites. 

4. Visualization and Dashboards

Data alone isn’t enough. EHS teams need configurable dashboards and visual tools to:  

• Monitor key metrics like water use, discharge volumes, exceedances, and trends. 
• Quickly identify anomalies or operational inefficiencies. 
• Share insights with management or external stakeholders. 

Look for tools with graphical trend analysis, map-based views, and configurable reports and dashboards. 

5. Support for ESG and Voluntary Reporting

If your organization reports to CDP, GRI, or uses SASB-aligned metrics, ensure the software: 

• Aligns with these frameworks natively and can be easily configured as requirements change. 
• Supports water intensity metrics (e.g., gallons per unit produced).
• Can export data in formats compatible with ESG reporting platforms or seamlessly integrates with ESG reporting software like Locus. 

This enables dual-purpose reporting (regulatory and voluntary) without doubling the effort. That’s an incredibly powerful way to reallocate valuable time to all the other items on your to-do list. 

6. Audit Readiness and Data Integrity

Regulators and third-party auditors expect a clear log from measurement to reporting. Your software should provide: 

• User activity logs and change tracking. 
• Automated version control. 
• Easy-to-navigate audit histories. 

Being audit-ready saves time and builds confidence in both internal and external reviews. 

7. Multi-Site and Enterprise Scalability

Large industrial companies often operate across multiple sites, regions, or countries. Your chosen industrial water reporting software must: 

• Support hierarchical access and role-based permissions. 
• Allow site-specific workflows with centralized oversight. 
• Aggregate enterprise-wide water data in one system (like Locus Water). 

Scalability is especially important for organizations pursuing global or company-wide sustainability targets. 

The key takeaway 

Water is one of the most vital and most scrutinized resources in industrial operations. As the stakes for compliance and sustainability rise, the cost of not investing in robust water reporting tools grows with them.  

For EHS professionals, adopting the right software platform isn’t just about checking a compliance box. It’s about enabling smarter decisions, reducing risk, and future-proofing operations in a world where water performance is under the spotlight. The most successful companies will be those that treat water data not as a burden, but as a strategic asset. The Locus Water suite helps enterprises make that happen.  

Want to learn how leading industrial companies are transforming their water reporting with AI-powered tools? Schedule a demo with us today!