Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

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Sustainability and Management

How are sustainability and management related? The two are related through a concept called the "triple bottom line" (TBL or 3BL). In business, the term "bottom line" has traditionally referred to net profitability. The triple bottom line refers to a theory suggesting companies should look at three unique bottom lines: people, planet, and profit.

The "people" aspect of TBL stresses the importance of the correct treatment and compensation of labor and community as well as helping to support and benefit the social community vs. exploitation.

The "planet: part of TBL refers to sustainable environmental practices that benefit the natural order, do as little harm as possible, and incorporate a "reduce, reuse, recycle" mentality.

The TBL concept of profit suggests that at least a portion of it should be invested in the community (i.e. a social benefit). Social benefits cannot be tracked by accounting. Utilities save profit to compensate for growth and unexpected emergencies.

The illustration below depicts the relationship between the three "pillars" of the TBL concept.

Will TBL work for a utility? Yes! In fact, TBL works for any kind of organization, whether private, government, for profit or not-for-profit. Why would a utility WANT to be sustainable? Utilities need to be sustainable due to serious environmental and situation issues such as climate change, limited resources (fuel, water, etc.), tighter regulations on air emissions and waste disposal, and higher costs for power. Of course, ALL businesses must deal with these same issues.