Cummins announced on Tuesday that it plans to cut water usage by half. A press release from the Columbus-based diesel engine manufacturer says the company has increased its facility water goal to a 50 percent intensity reduction by 2020, compared to its 2010 consumption rate. Cummins made the announcement on the eve of “World Water Day,” created by the United Nations to “serve as a way to have global education and preparedness for future water management.”

Cummins says the revised goal represents a total water savings of 763 million gallons of water since 2010. Company officials say that is equivalent to the water needed for drinking, sanitation and hygiene for 395,000 people for a year.

“Thanks to the hard work of our employees around the world, we have surpassed our initial target, but we know we should do more and are raising the bar with a revised goal,“ said Brian Mormino, Executive Director of Environmental Strategy & Compliance.

To achieve the 50 percent reduction, Cummins says it will expand the work it does with its sites in water program management, including intensive engagement with higher water use locations, water balance creation and sub-metering. The company also announced plans for high impact and showcase projects, such as an alternative bio-tech system for producing high quality treated wastewater for process reuse at one of its engine plants.