The reuse of treated effluents emerges as a strategic approach that not only enables water reuse but also facilitates the recovery of valuable raw material
The global water crisis and the increasing demand for sustainable practices call for innovative solutions. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, circular economy strategies could potentially cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2050 when applied to four key industrial materials: cement, steel, plastic, and aluminium. In this context, the reuse of treated effluents emerges as a strategic approach that not only enables water reuse but also facilitates the recovery of valuable raw materials. By integrating circular economy principles, industry can reduce reliance on external resources, reduce waste, and enhance its environmental accountability, thereby aligning with both regulatory expectations and consumer demand for sustainable practices.
The Impact of Global Water Scarcity on Industry
Water scarcity affects billions of people worldwide, and is projected to worsen due to population growth and climate change. The United Nations (UN) estimates that by 2030, global demand could exceed supply by up to 40%, placing unprecedented pressure on water-dependent industries. Regions already experiencing water stress face increased risks to industrial operations, making the search for sustainable alternatives more urgent.
Industry, accounts for approximately 20% of global water consumption, according to UNESCO (2024), with significant use in cooling, production, and cleaning processes. Without adaption, businesses risk operational disruptions. Reusing treated effluents presents a viable solution, enabling industries to recycle water within their processes to reduce dependency on freshwater sources – contributing to both local and global water security.
For example, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry faced production halts in 2021 due to severe water shortages, underscoring the vulnerability of water-intensive industries. The World Bank warns that unchecked water scarcity could cost some regions up to 6% of their GDP by 2050. Proactive water management is no longer optional, it is a strategic necessity.
Advancing Circular Economy Through Effluent Reuse
The circular economy aims to transform waste into resources, and wastewater treatment is no exception. Beyond water recovery, treated effluents can yield valuable byproducts such as nutrients and minerals, which can be reintegrated into production cycles. This not only reduces the need for virgin raw materials but also drives cost savings.
Advanced treatment technologies make industrial water reuse a reality:
- Membrane filtration systems(ultrafiltration &nanofiltration): Removes solids and contaminants, ensuring water quality.
- Reverse osmosis: Purifies water, while recovering dissolved salts and minerals, essential for chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
- Membrane biological reactors (MBR): Combines biological treatment and filtration, particularly beneficial for nutrient recovery in food and beverage sectors.
- Disinfection technologies (UV ultraviolet light & Ozonation): Guarantees microbiological purity for safe water reuse.
- IoT-Enable monitoring: Optimizes efficiency through real-time process adjustments.
In the agri-food sector, reclaiming nitrogen and phosphorus from treated effluents not only reduces the environmental impact but also provides a potential revenue stream. The Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO highlights that effective resource management is critical to global food security.
Sustainability and Competitive Advantage
Effluent reuse is a direct investment in sustainability, water security, and corporate resilience. By reducing freshwater consumption, minimizing wastewater discharge, and recovering valuable inputs, industries can significantly lower their environmental footprint. Companies adopting these strategies also gain a competitive edge, appealing to sustainability-conscious consumers and investors.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that industrial wastewater reuse can drive energy efficiency, contributing to decarbonization efforts and reinforcing the direct link between water sustainability and carbon reduction.
Strategic Partnerships for Scalable Solutions
Addressing industrial water challenges requires specialized expertise and tailored solutions. Isle Utilities, a global consultancy with over 120 experts from 21 nationalities, has been driving water innovation since 2010, helping industries address sustainability and water security challenges worldwide.
- Oil & Gas Industry Water Reuse: A global company, after finding a solution to reduce CO2 emissions that involved washing a product to remove the mineral salts that made it impure, turned to Isle to find a solution to recover the water used in the washing, with the least possible energy use.
- Lowering COD in the Pulp and Paper Industry: The Canadian pulp and Paper industry achieved zero liquid discharge in paper production but needed the help of Isle Utilitários to improve the quality of the reused water and not compromise the quality of the final paper produced.
- Tratamento de água da Legacy Mining: A mining company contracted with Isle Utilities to supervise and coordinate efforts for the treatment of mine water in France to improve health and safety while cutting long-term costs, going beyond legal requirements on sustainability.
Ready to optimize water use and achieve sustainability goals? Contact Isle Utilities to explore customized solutions for your industry needs.