Water conservation strategies for sustainability

A necessity for every organism on Earth, water is referred to as the lifeblood of the planet, and in some regions, demand is steadily outpacing supply. While domestic water use is frequently the focus in conversations about conservation, the industrial sector is responsible for twice the amount.

This web page explores the landscape of water use, identifies the largest consumers, discusses viable conservation strategies, analyzes the required investments and emphasizes the sustainability impacts of these efforts.

Globally, agriculture claims the lion's share of water consumption, accounting for nearly 70%. Combined industry checks in close to 20% and domestic use makes up the remaining portion .

Within the diverse industrial landscape, the top consumers are:

1. Thermoelectric power generation: This industry vertical encompasses coal, nuclear and natural gas power plants, and it is responsible for an estimated 45% of all industrial water usage, relying heavily on water for cooling processes.
2. Manufacturing: From the water-intensive processes of textile production to the intricate demands of electronics manufacturing, this sector is highly dependent on water for washing, rinsing, diluting, cooling and for transporting materials.
3. Food and beverage production: The journey from farm to table requires significant water usage, not just limited to agrarian fields where food is grown. Water is required for processing raw materials and cleaning facilities - and often for direct use in products - all contributing to the sector’s water footprint.
4. Mining: Mining requires heavy water usage for a host of activities, including dust suppression, slurry transport and mineral separation.
5. Oil and gas: The extraction of fossil fuels, particularly methods like hydraulic fracturing, requires significant volumes of water, as well.

The statistics regarding water usage in these industries can be surprising. For example, generating just one MWh of electricity, enough to power approximately 1,000 homes for an hour, requires 11,500 liter to 75,700 liters (3,000 to 20,000 gallons) of water, depending on the power source.

The production of everyday items carries a hidden water cost as well. For instance, manufacturing a single cotton t-shirt consumes an estimated 2,700 liters (700 gallons) of water . These figures highlight the potential impact of even percentage-point reduction efforts on total water consumed.

Fortunately, there is an array of water conservation strategies being developed that can be implemented without compromising operational productivity or quality. These are broadly categorized into two types: consumption reduction and water reuse.

Just as people strive for process efficiency in other areas - such as reducing energy consumption and expensive chemical use - minimizing water usage is also critical in domestic and industrial applications. Domestically, this is reachable by implementing water-efficient appliances and closely limiting manual water use, such as in cooking, cleaning, watering plants and bathing. For industry, this can be achieved by installing water-efficient equipment and conducting thorough audits to identify areas for reduction within operations.

Cleaning procedure optimization

In various industries, manufacturing facilities require periodic cleaning of process equipment. Manufacturers can optimize the timing of these cycles by deploying sensors that indicate ideal durations to avoid overcleaning.

Additionally, many modern plant management software platforms are equipped with predictive modeling capabilities, which support optimization techniques to minimize input expenses and resources, including water consumption. These models can be effective for reducing water consumption when used to adjust various process parameters, helping manufacturers identify optimal operational values, while maintaining product quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Ideal material selection

The choices made early on in manufacturing operations can have a ripple effect on water consumption. Selecting materials that require less water for processing, such as recycled materials or those with less water-intensive production methods, can contribute to overall water savings throughout the supply chain.

Leak detection and repair

While seemingly simple, leak detection and repair are often overlooked in both domestic and industrial settings. These tasks, particularly in the presence of extensive piping infrastructure, can prevent significant and costly water losses. Inspecting systems regularly and conducting repairs promptly can save water and subsequent expenses.

Alternative cooling technologies

The dependence on water for cooling in power generation and other industries has spurred innovation in alternative cooling methods. For example, air-cooling and hybrid cooling systems can substantially reduce water usage and minimize the discharge of heated water back into the environment.

In addition to the direct water consumption reduction techniques described previously, methodologies for reusing water are becoming increasingly common regionally among municipalities and even within the walls of single industrial facilities. Reusing water effectively multiplies its benefit by enabling consumers to use the same water multiple times, resulting in overall reductions.

In industry, reclaiming and treating process wastewater presents a sustainable alternative to freshwater intake for many applications. Depending on the use, there can be regulatory hurdles to overcome, but closed-loop industrial water systems - where water is reused rather than disposed of - are gaining traction. For example, cooling water from power plants, often released into rivers at high temperatures, can be treated and reused within the plant, or even repurposed for other applications, both industrial and agricultural.

The economic investment required for these conservation strategies varies depending on the specific technologies, the scale of implementation and existing infrastructure. While upfront investments in collection and treatment systems are required for water reuse, they often result in long-term cost savings, in addition to sustainability benefits. This is primarily a result of reduced water intake and lower wastewater disposal fees.

In an era of increased transparency and stakeholder engagement, water conservation demonstrates social responsibility and environmental stewardship. These actions can attract stakeholders who prioritize sustainability and they resonate with consumers who are more inclined to make purchasing decisions based on companies’ environmental track records.

Industry can take these five steps to reduce reliance on fresh water for a positive ecological impact:

1. Conduct a water efficiency audit: Begin by taking stock of operations that consume the most water. Then, evaluate usage, leakage and the potential for reuse.
2. Address malfunctions: Repair leaks and equipment failures that waste water, and continue to monitor usage and identify areas for improvement.
3. Implement water reuse: Recirculate water within production processes whenever possible, or within the facility in a closed-loop system. And treat wastewater to be reused in non-potable applications, such as cooling and irrigation.
4. Retrofit inefficient equipment: Explore and install innovative water-saving equipment to reduce consumption.
5. Collaborate with industry peers: Participate in industry-wide water conservation discussions and initiatives, leveraging government incentives and support.

Domestic users can implement similar strategies to conserve water in day-to-day functions, so for those not involved in industrial operations, it is important not to overlook these methods at home.

The following examples showcase conservation measures applicable to particular industries:

• Manufacturing: Implement water-efficient cooling systems, reuse process water and optimize cleaning processes.
• Food and beverage: Install water-saving food processing technologies, reduce water usage in cleaning and reuse treated wastewater for irrigation.
• Power generation: Deploy advanced cooling technologies, optimize water circulation in cooling systems and reuse industrial wastewater for non-potable purposes.

By adopting these approaches, industrial facilities can reduce their water consumption, lower operational costs and contribute to sustainable water management.

Reducing water withdrawals from rivers, lakes and aquifers helps maintain the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, supports biodiversity and safeguards these vital natural resources for future generations. Process optimization can also save companies money.

In addition to helping preserve life’s most vital resource, conservation directly decreases carbon footprint by reducing the need for third-party water treatment and distribution, which require energy.

Water conservation is a crucial environmental and strategic economic opportunity with significant social benefits. Embracing innovative technologies, implementing efficient processes and reusing water enables consumption reduction, aligning with global efforts to steward natural resources carefully.