Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Celebrates 125th Anniversary with the Release of Its 2024 Sustainability Report
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, a global leader in innovative water solutions, has officially commenced its 125th-anniversary celebration with the release of its highly anticipated 2024 Sustainability Report. This landmark report underscores the company’s enduring commitment to addressing critical water challenges, advancing operational sustainability, and fostering innovation in the water solutions sector. By achieving significant milestones in environmental stewardship, energy conservation, and corporate social responsibility, Zurn Elkay continues to shape a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Commitment to Sustainability: Progress and Achievements
Zurn Elkay’s 2024 Sustainability Report outlines the company’s impressive advancements toward its 16 timebound sustainability goals. These initiatives are geared toward enhancing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improving supply chain sustainability. Notably, Zurn Elkay has successfully reduced its energy intensity by 23% from its 2021 baseline—exceeding its 2024 target of a 15% reduction. This achievement reflects the company’s proactive approach to energy management, leveraging cutting-edge technology and operational optimizations to drive efficiency.
Moreover, Zurn Elkay is making significant strides toward its ambitious goal of a 50% reduction in GHG intensity by 2030. Since 2021, the company has already achieved a 38% reduction, positioning itself ahead of schedule. These results demonstrate Zurn Elkay’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through renewable energy adoption, process improvements, and energy-efficient product innovations.
Enhancing Supply Chain Sustainability and Risk Management
Recognizing the importance of ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain management, Zurn Elkay has enhanced its supplier sustainability program. The company has implemented rigorous supplier screenings and audits, ensuring that its partners adhere to high environmental and social responsibility standards. By embedding sustainability into its supply chain, Zurn Elkay minimizes operational risks while reinforcing its commitment to corporate integrity.
In addition, the 2024 report introduces four new corporate goals focusing on associate health and safety, waste reduction, philanthropic giving, and associate development. These initiatives are designed to enhance workplace conditions, foster community engagement, and ensure that Zurn Elkay remains an employer of choice within the industry.
Innovative Solutions Driving Sustainable Impact
In alignment with its mission to make clean water more accessible and sustainable, Zurn Elkay introduced several groundbreaking innovations in 2024. Among these is the Total Cost of Ownership and Sustainability Calculator, which provides customers with valuable insights into the environmental and economic benefits of Zurn Elkay’s products. This tool enables consumers and businesses to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.
Furthermore, Zurn Elkay launched an advanced residential filtered faucet equipped with a commercial-grade filter certified to remove contaminants such as lead, PFOA/PFOS, and microplastics. This easy-to-install solution reflects the company’s dedication to improving water quality and public health.
Additional innovations include connected filtered bottle-filling stations and the Hydro•X flush valve, a revolutionary design that eliminates the need for external power sources. These products not only enhance user convenience but also contribute to water conservation and energy efficiency. Currently, over 86% of Zurn Elkay’s revenue is derived from products that actively conserve water, reduce energy consumption, and protect clean water sources.
Measurable Environmental Impact
The 2024 Sustainability Report highlights the tangible environmental benefits of Zurn Elkay’s initiatives. In 2024 alone, the company’s sustainable products contributed to saving an estimated 32.5 billion gallons of water. Additionally, Zurn Elkay facilitated the delivery of 2.3 billion gallons of filtered drinking water and prevented the use of 19 billion single-use plastic bottles. These impressive figures underscore the company’s significant role in promoting sustainable water use on a global scale.
Advocacy for Clean Drinking Water in Schools
Beyond its technological advancements, Zurn Elkay actively advocates for policy changes that support clean drinking water access. The company has been at the forefront of filter-first legislation efforts in several U.S. states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. These legislative initiatives aim to ensure that K-12 students have access to safe, filtered drinking water within their schools.
As part of its commitment to social responsibility, Zurn Elkay expanded its Fountains for Youth program in 2024. This initiative involves donating filtered bottle-filling stations to schools, benefiting millions of students. Notable school districts that have received support include San Francisco Unified School District, Milwaukee Public Schools, and East Ramapo Central School District in New York. The program is a testament to Zurn Elkay’s belief that every child deserves access to clean and safe drinking water.
Philanthropic Giving and Community Engagement
Philanthropy remains a core pillar of Zurn Elkay’s sustainability strategy. In 2024, the company contributed $1.3 million to various charitable causes, reinforcing its commitment to corporate social responsibility. These funds were allocated to initiatives aimed at improving water accessibility, supporting community infrastructure, and fostering education.
Celebrating 125 Years of Innovation and Impact
The release of the 2024 Sustainability Report coincides with Zurn Elkay’s 125th-anniversary celebration—a milestone few companies achieve. The company’s journey began in 1900 when John A. Zurn, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Erie, Pennsylvania, acquired discontinued patterns and tooling for a patented backwater valve. Setting up operations in a modest barn, Zurn laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s leading water solutions providers.
Over the past century and a quarter, Zurn Elkay has evolved significantly, driven by a legacy of innovation and a steadfast commitment to Simply Doing the Right Thing. The company’s products have transformed the way water is accessed, conserved, and purified, setting new industry standards in sustainability and efficiency.
A Vision for the Future
Zurn Elkay remains committed to driving sustainable progress through continued innovation, responsible business practices, and community engagement. The company envisions a future where water is more accessible, safer to drink, and efficiently managed to support global sustainability goals.
Todd A. Adams, Chairman and CEO of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, reaffirmed this vision, stating, “Through the advancement of our sustainability strategy, we envision a more sustainable future as we deliver customer-focused solutions that make clean water more accessible and sustainable, minimize our environmental footprint, and foster a workplace that empowers our associates.”
As Zurn Elkay embarks on its next chapter, the company’s 125-year legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that sustainable innovation can have on the world. By setting ambitious goals, advocating for responsible water management, and continually pushing the boundaries of technology, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions remains a leader in shaping the future of water sustainability.
