Water: There Is Enough but Management Must Be Improved

The world is facing an unprecedented water crisis. Despite the abundance of water on our planet, it is estimated that only 2.5% of the water is fresh and accessible for human use. In addition, Earth’s rising temperature due to climate change is jeopardizing its availability and quality. Industry is a major consumer of this limited resource, with an estimated 25% of the world’s fresh water being consumed by the industrial sector. This is a major concern, as the industry’s consumption of water must be more efficient in the medium and long term for the sake of its continuity and viability.

Industry must (urgently) implement strategies and invest in technology to know more about its water footprint and learn how to reuse and recycle. There are many industrial processes that already understand their water consumption and have made it efficient, but the number of companies that must rethink their processes is even greater.

One of many ways the industry can reduce its water consumption is by using more efficient water management systems underpinned by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and intelligent monitoring to avoid risks and act preemptively. This includes devices that can help identify areas where water can be saved.

For example, let’s think about industrial facilities with cooling towers that require constant cleaning and disinfection, a process that, in addition to different solutions, requires water. To complete the task, chlorine and chlorine dioxide solutions may have different levels of success.

Chlorine, as chlorine gas or sodium hypochlorite, has been used for years as a pre-oxidant and primary disinfectant. However, its use continues to decrease because of the problems associated with the formation of by-products of concern. Chlorine is a weaker antimicrobial than chlorine dioxide (ClO2), particularly at pH levels above 7.

ClO2 is a blend of 40% sodium chlorate (active ingredient) and 8% hydrogen peroxide (stabilizer) with the balance being water and because ClO2 produced less by-products of concern, it is often used at the beginning of the water plant, for instance, as a pre-oxidant for control of Fe and Mn.

Choosing the right technology can greatly contribute to the results, but it is necessary to know the different options available that contribute to achieving them. By 2030, at Ecolab we have a goal of helping our customers conserve 300 billion gallons (1.1 billion m3) of water each year, which is equivalent to the drinking water needs of 1 billion people, a goal that can increase and extend to all industrial sectors.

Industry must also focus on recycling and reuse of water. This can be done through the installation of wastewater treatment systems that can be used to treat industrial wastewater for reuse in as many processes as possible. This would help to reduce the amount of water being used, as well as ensuring that any water used is recycled and reused.

Wastewater is used water originating from domestic, industrial, agricultural, and medical or transport activities. Used water becomes wastewater upon the change of its quality, composition and/or temperature. However, wastewater does not include water released from ponds or reservoirs for fish farming.

Wastewater treatment demands as much attention and the need for integrated solutions, as with other processes within the operation. There are not many other processes that have so much variability in the input, yet a consistent, high-quality output is required. Technology offers several wastewater tools to efficiently analyze, evaluate, and treat the entire wastewater operation from primary clarification to discharge.

Optimizing the performance of treatment chemicals and equipment can dramatically minimize overall costs and maximize your return on investment. That is a very important point. Knowing that the efficient use of water facilitates cost savings in daily operations should be one of the main arguments for changing the ideology of companies and for them to evolve towards sustainable production models.

The industry must focus on education and awareness about the importance of water conservation and sustainability. This can include educating employees about water conservation, as well as working with local communities to develop and implement water conservation initiatives.

The industry must take steps to reduce its water consumption, recycle and reuse water, and focus on education and awareness about water conservation. These steps will help to reduce the amount of water being consumed and ensure that any water used is recycled, reused and be available to everyone in the future. This will help ensure that the industry is sustainable in the long run and helps protect the world’s limited freshwater resources.

Humankind is on track to experience a 56% freshwater shortfall by 2030 if nothing changes, according to the World Resources Institute. Taking action to address the global water crisis is critical, and business has a vital role to play. We need to think about some of the ways industry can help to make a difference.