How Real-Time Water Data Is Strengthening Sustainability Across Real Estate Portfolios

As the real estate industry embraces ESG strategies and faces mounting climate-related pressures, one resource is rising in strategic importance: water.

Real-time water data is one of the most effective—and often overlooked—tools for reducing risk, improving operational efficiency, and achieving sustainability goals across commercial, retail, and multifamily portfolios. If you can’t see your water use in real time, you can’t manage it effectively.

The Problem with Lagging Water Data

Most commercial, retail, and multifamily properties still rely on lagging indicators like utility bills. These backward-looking snapshots reveal little about when, where, or how water is being wasted.

That means teams often miss:

• Spot hidden leaks before they cause structural damage
• Prevent overwatering, especially during wet seasons
• Catch excessive indoor water use from faulty systems

These blind spots waste water, increase costs, heighten risk, and weaken ESG performance.

What Real-Time Water Data Unlocks

Real-time, site-level data gives teams the tools to manage water proactively. It enables leak detection as soon as a problem occurs, precision irrigation based on live weather and soil inputs, and a clearer picture of how each system is performing.

With these insights, property owners can make targeted adjustments, reduce consumption portfolio-wide, and simplify ESG reporting with accurate, centralized data.

It’s a smarter, more strategic way to manage water—and it pays off in performance.

Why Water Needs a Bigger Role in ESG Strategy

Water use is often underreported because it’s historically been hard to measure well.

Smart water tools are changing that.

For real estate teams aiming to strengthen ESG disclosures and reduce risk, real-time data offers tangible advantages: better reporting, greater transparency, and stronger trust across stakeholders. And as regulations and investor expectations evolve, water data is quickly moving from a nice-to-have to a non-negotiable.

The Tech Behind Real-Time Water Management

HydroPoint’s smart water management solutions give you full visibility and control. Key tools include:

• Leak detection systems that notify teams of unexpected spikes in usage
• Flow sensors and smart irrigation controllers that adjust watering in real time
• Baseline’s engineered smart irrigation solutions designed for green infrastructure projects like green roofs, terraces, and gardens – using real-time soil moisture data and alternative water sources to reduce consumption, support LEED certification, and protect living assets

Award-Winning Impact: Kite Realty Group Leads on Water Efficiency

Kite Realty Group, a leading owner of open-air shopping centers, faced growing water stress across its portfolio. By deploying HydroPoint’s WeatherTRAK system at 25% of properties, they achieved:

• 30.8 million gallons of water saved in 2023
• 7.9% reduction in direct GHG emissions
• Winner of a Top Project of the Year Award from Environment + Energy Leader

These results reflect a broader ESG strategy – using smart irrigation, drought-tolerant landscaping, and real-time insights to cut waste and strengthen resilience.

Bottom Line: Real-Time Water Data is a Strategic Asset

As water risk intensifies—from drought to infrastructure stress—real-time data gives property teams a way to act smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

HydroPoint’s real-time solutions help teams conserve water, reduce waste, strengthen ESG reporting, and protect asset value without adding burden to onsite staff.

Learn more about how HydroPoint solutions help real estate portfolios conserve water, improve efficiency, and stay compliant.