"Nestle Waters Cares for Water" Project at Khanom Jeen Canal, Ayutthaya Province, Wins Two Prestigious International Sustainability Awards and is Certified as an Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) site in Thailand
Nestle (Thai) Ltd. and Nestle Pure Life have announced a major achievement for the "Nestle Waters Cares for Water" project at Khanom Jeen Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, after winning two prestigious international sustainability awards. These include the edie Awards in the Water, Waste, and Resource Efficiency category, widely regarded as the UK's biggest sustainability awards, and a Highly Commends distinction in the SDG Pioneer Award category at the Reuters Global Sustainability Awards 2025. These recognitions underscore the project's decade-long commitment to water stewardship, biodiversity restoration, and community empowerment. In addition, Khanom Jeen Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, under the "Nestle Waters Cares for Water" project, has been officially certified by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as an Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) site in Thailand.
"We are immensely proud of the success and the impact of our Nestle Waters Cares for Water project on both the environment and the local communities," said Mr. Chaiyong Sakulborrirug, Business Executive Officer - Water Business Unit, Nestle (Thai) Ltd. "Winning these two prestigious awards from edie and Reuters is a strong testament to the dedication and collaboration of all our partners, including WWF Thailand, government agencies, academic institutions, and local communities, who have worked tirelessly together with Nestle to restore water quality and enhance biodiversity in Khanom Jeen Canal, delivering lasting benefits to communities."
The edie Awards are the United Kingdom's largest sustainability awards, presented over the past 19 years and recognizing more than 400 organizations to date. This year, 25 winners were announced, with the "Nestle Waters Cares for Water" project winning in the Water, Waste and Resource Efficiency category. The project was honored for its outstanding achievements in restoring water quality, promoting more sustainable livelihoods, and enhancing biodiversity, including the return of more than 42 bird species, 22 invertebrate species, and 53 native fish species in Khanom Jeen Canal.
The Global Sustainability Awards 2025 by Reuters are another prestigious global sustainability accolade. Last year, the program received over 700 submissions from around the world. The "Nestle Waters Cares for Water" project demonstrated strong alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), earning a Highly Commends distinction in the SDG Pioneer Award category.
In addition, Khanom Jeen Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, under the "Nestle Waters Cares for Water" project, has been officially certified by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) site in Thailand. This recognition highlights the project's achievement as the first to apply a comprehensive approach integrating three pillars - Educate, Protect, and Restore - through a wide range of supporting activities.
"With the comprehensive efforts under the Nestle Waters Cares for Water project, water quality in the Khanom Jeen Canal has significantly improved, making the canal much cleaner with better quality. Local communities can once again use the canal for activities such as traditional fishing and growing aquatic plants to support their livelihoods. The project has also helped revitalize the canal as a community route. This restoration effort clearly demonstrates how the project contributes to sustainable living through access to a clean water source. It has also allowed Nestle Waters to achieve its goal of 100% water regeneration, ensuring that the volume of water used in our drinking water business is replenished back into nature and the community," added Mr. Chaiyong.