The paper sets out the context for water and the challenges that have to be faced in the battle to alleviate global poverty. It acknowledges that the world has been blessed with abundant water but because of population and development pressures, and the projected changes in climate, avoiding serious water shortages in some places will be difficult. Mining's use of water is placed in context and the paper then considers the specific threats to the industry in terms of availability and price and the need to find mechanisms to deal with the issue of resource degradation caused by abandoned mines. Rio Tinto's use of water is then set out and three examples are given of how different water challenges have been addressed. The paper goes on to consider each element of a water strategy designed to move Rio Tinto's performance towards excellence. This strategy incorporates improved management procedures (policy, principles, standards and targets), performance enhancement (through use of the Rio Tinto Water diagnostic and technology changes) and working with others in the academic and NGO community who seek to address the same global issue.