Course overview
This intensive ISO 46001 Lead Implementer course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills required to design, implement, manage, and maintain a Water Efficiency Management System (WEMS) based on the ISO 46001:2019 standard. Participants will gain in-depth understanding of water use assessment, water balance, water efficiency action planning, and performance monitoring in alignment with sustainability goals.
Whether for internal sustainability teams, consultants, or public-sector projects, this course empowers you to lead the transition to smarter, more sustainable water use across sectors.
Module 1: Understanding ISO 46001 and Water Efficiency Management
- Introduction to water efficiency and sustainability
- Overview of ISO 46001:2019 and its benefits
- Terms, definitions, and clause-by-clause breakdown
- Relationship with ISO 14001 and integrated systems
Module 2: Planning and Designing a WEMS
- Conducting water use review and developing a water balance
- Establishing water performance indicators (WPIs)
- Defining baseline, targets, and objectives
- Developing a water efficiency action plan
- Resource planning and stakeholder engagement
Module 3: Implementing and Operating the WEMS
- Operational control and documentation
- Competence, awareness, and communication
- Internal and external communication strategies
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Procurement and supplier engagement
Course objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the structure, principles, and requirements of ISO 46001:2019
- Develop a step-by-step implementation plan for a WEMS
- Identify and analyze water usage and opportunities for efficiency
- Establish water performance indicators (WPIs), baselines, and water balance
- Integrate WEMS into existing management systems (e.g., ISO 14001)
- Prepare organizations for certification audits and long-term water sustainability
Learning outcomes
Participants will:
- Master the process of establishing a fully functional ISO 46001-compliant WEMS
- Identify organizational water risks, usage patterns, and improvement opportunities
- Create and lead a water efficiency policy and action plan
- Monitor and measure performance using WPIs and corrective actions
- Support their organization or clients in achieving ISO 46001 certification
- Earn a Cognicert-accredited ISO 46001 Lead Implementer certificate upon passing the final assessment
Target audience
Ideal for:
- Sustainability and environmental managers
- Facility and utility managers
- Quality and environmental consultants
- Engineers responsible for water systems
- Project managers in sustainability initiatives
- Government and regulatory officials
- Organizations planning for ISO 46001 certification
Reference standards
- ISO 46001:2019 – Water Efficiency Management Systems
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
- ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management Systems (for integration)
- ISO 19011:2018 – Guidelines for auditing (for audit readiness)
- Relevant local and international water conservation frameworks
Training methodologies
- Lectures & case studies on water efficiency frameworks
- Workshops for water balance calculation and action planning
- Hands-on implementation exercises using templates and real scenarios
- Group discussions, role-plays, and problem-solving tasks
- Project simulation: design and present a WEMS implementation strategy
- Final exam and practical assessment
Certification
- Performance evaluation and monitoring of WPIs
- Internal audits and management review
- Managing nonconformities and corrective actions
- Preparing for third-party certification audit
- Implementation workshop + final exam