Industrial Water Treatment | Quality, Consumption and Challenges

Industrial activities demand a large use of water, so it is necessary to think about making efficient use of this resource. The reduction in water consumption can be achieved in several ways: by optimizing processes, by reusing water, and by treating the water before it is disposed of in the environment.  

But before beginning your company’s process water treatment it is necessary to identify the physical losses and waste, know the processes that use water, and the amount of consumption, and the possibility of replacing the equipment with more modern and economical models. 

Do not forget to check your equipment for leaks due to problems in pipes, connections, reservoirs and other equipment. Be certain that your employees always close faucets properly after use, and maintain strict operational routines.

The reuse of water in industry consists of reusing the effluent produced by the company itself, which can return to the process that generated it or be used in another step or other activity, such as in patio washing or toilet-flushing.

Know other uses:

• In Cooling Towers as make-up water
• Irrigation of green areas in industrial facilities, washing floors and some types of parts in the mechanical industry
• Boilers
• Industrial processes
• Construction

Water quality for industrial processes

Treatment processes must ensure that the water is suitable for consumption and passed through industrial process water treatment and is free from pathogenic microorganisms and impurities. Water is an integral part of almost every processing operation and can affect quality and sanitation. Understanding the properties of water and how it is distributed throughout its process is essential to produce quality.

Water in industry: opportunities and challenges

The concern with the world consumption of water is only growing and it is necessary to rethink the use of water in industry. Likewise, it is essential to take action to reduce consumption in other sectors of the economy, as well as at your business.

The world population is only growing, but natural resources are finite. With a demand greater than what is possible to obtain from nature, many countries already suffer daily from a lack of water. 

Many industrial and product manufacturing processes need water to function. On the other hand, the misuse of water in industry aggravates the problem of scarcity of this resource.

Therefore, considering today’s global water stresses, the conscious use of water is an urgent need. 

Industry and its responsibility for water consumption

Some water conservation initiatives can have satisfactory effects, in addition to reducing energy and inputs. Some actions can be taken and monitored:

• Map usage – knowing how water is being used in the business is essential. Knowing this makes it easier to establish actions for proper consumption, whether in simple practices such as turning off faucets, to those that require more investment, such as repairing pipes and reservoirs.

• Equipment evaluation – having mapped the use of water, it is possible to know where to invest. Devices and technologies that avoid waste and control water consumption, such as faucets with aerators and equipment maintenance, are necessary investments to avoid waste.

• Use alternative sources – rainwater harvesting is an example of how one can use a source that does not come from water sources or concessionaires.

Return water to nature – the treatment of effluents and the return of water to nature is part of the reality of large companies. Ideal commercial water treatment returns to nature around 80% of the water it consumes, and treats it before discarding it into the environment.