Purpose: – Water is a unique resource that does not receive enough attention among companies given its essential contribution to human life. Its uniqueness among all resources results from its environmental, socio-political and economic characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to explore water's uniqueness to companies, especially how one company, Coca-Cola, is currently managing this resource and to describe a few serious challenges that companies will face.

Design/methodology/approach: – Coca-Cola has become a leader among these corporations, and we can learn from this company about suggested actions that others might want to use.

Findings: – The major actions that companies must take relate to impact assessment and reporting, increased stewardship as a corporate responsibility, observing principles of sustainability and the increased recognition of water in all environmental policies and regulatory actions, partnerships with government and non-government organizations, and technology and design, i.e. allocating financial and human capital to develop new technologies.

Originality/value: – Several corporations, in recognizing water's uniqueness as a resource, have taken actions for its management.