Water

Goal Update

Baseline (2017-2019): 73,626,000 gallons

Q1-2026: 56,597,000 gallons (23.1% decrease)

Goal: 58,901,000 gallons

Since 2020, we have saved approximately 22,603,000 gallons of water — equivalent to 34.2 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

FNBO has set a goal to reduce annual water consumption by at least 20% by 2035. We have already surpassed that target, achieving a 21.7% reduction from our baseline as of Q1 2026. Last year marked our most significant single-year reduction (22%) since setting the goal, driven largely by ample rainfall. To sustain these savings, we continue to invest in new technologies and landscaping approaches. As shown on the graph, Irrigation accounts for 37% of our enterprise water consumption, making it our primary focus for long-term reduction.

Average Annual Enterprise Water Composition

What’s Driving Our Progress to Date

FNBO’s progress toward its 20% water reduction goal is driven by four interconnected strategies that have collectively reduced water use.

Landscape and irrigation optimization is the primary driver of our water savings to date. Pilot projects at Omaha branches confirmed that turf reduction, perennial plantings, and smart irrigation deliver measurable savings, and we have since expanded these upgrades to Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. Broader landscaping renovations are planned to carry these approaches across additional locations.
Water harvesting and reuse represent an emerging opportunity we are actively evaluating. We have begun assessing water harvesting technology in our corporate buildings, including rain barrels, cisterns, and capturing condensation from fan walls as alternative sources for irrigation.
Sub-metering irrigation will improve visibility into where water is actually being used. Because 66% of our branches do not separately meter irrigation and domestic water, we cannot fully account for usage at those locations and currently pay unnecessary sewer fees on irrigation water as a result. We have identified 29 high-consumption locations as prime candidates for sub-metering.
Efficient fixtures will reduce waste at the point of use. We plan to replace aging plumbing fixtures with more water-efficient alternatives, with sanitation and cost-effectiveness guiding prioritization.

How to Support this Goal While You Work

Reporting all water leaks immediately
Talking with your peers about water conservation efforts
Making an announcement about water conservation at your staff meeting

Turning the faucet on partway, only using the pressure you need
Avoiding splashing items when putting stuff down the drain, and pour directly into the drain hole
Encourage the use of native planting in landscaping, when appropriate