As water scarcity tightens its grip on communities worldwide, one question looms large: Can we afford to waste water twice? For those who say no, water reuse is emerging as a strategy to combat water availability and rising regulatory pressure for sustainable operations.
In industrial applications, water reuse involves using recycled water for various purposes by treating municipal water or water generated from onsite processes. The treated water is then reused onsite or sent to another facility for use. This practice conserves freshwater resources while reducing
environmental impacts.
Industrial Applications of Water Reuse
Different industries have different water needs, which makes a one-size-fits-all approach to reuse impractical. While oil and gas facilities often need reliable water supplies for steam generation,
data centers depend on reuse systems for liquid cooling needs.
Preferred treatment technologies also vary between industries and are selected to meet the quality standards of the intended application. These technologies include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis and can be applied individually or in combination to deliver the right level of water quality.
How to Implement an Effective Industrial Water Reuse Program
Implementing an effective
industrial water reuse program starts with conducting a water usage assessment and identifying viable water sources at the facility, such as treated municipal wastewater or onsite process water. As part of this process, we help clients determine the most efficient water sources for reuse - focusing on technologies and solutions that limit operation and maintenance costs and reduce distances between water sources and the facility. This assessment is a key aspect clients should consider before developing a complete water management plan.
Building Industry-Utility Collaboration
Utilities play a vital role in water reuse by providing treated municipal wastewater, offering expertise and assisting in obtaining necessary permits. They also provide infrastructure for water reuse, such as pipelines for delivering treated wastewater to industrial sites.
Collaboration with utilities is crucial for developing effective water reuse strategies that benefit all parties and contribute to a more sustainable water management framework. Our team has extensive experience coordinating with utilities and can help bridge this gap.
Addressing Barriers to Industrial Water Reuse
Industrial water reuse faces significant barriers, including regulatory hurdles, investment requirements and public perception challenges. We help clients understand and overcome these obstacles, enabling them to develop effective water management strategies that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
Navigating Regulatory Hurdles for Water Reuse
Regulatory frameworks for water reuse vary significantly across states, making it challenging for industries with multiple locations to comply with diverse requirements. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) does not require or restrict any type of reuse, but individual states maintain primary regulatory authority over water reuse.
Some states have established specific programs to address reuse, while others have incorporated water reuse into their existing programs. Currently, 19 states have regulations for industrial reuse of treated municipal wastewater. Other states do not restrict industrial process wastewater for reuse as long as the use is within the same facility. Stanley Consultants navigates clients through these applicable regulations to identify paths to compliance. We leverage tools such as the EPA’s REUSExplorer, a web tool that helps identify relevant regulations and end-use specifications for water reuse. This regulatory expertise empowers clients to confidently execute projects that align with these state and local regulations.
Managing Upfront Costs of Water Reuse
The initial investment in water reuse infrastructure can be substantial; however, the long-term value often outweighs investment costs. The decision to implement a water reuse system should be guided by a clear benefit-cost analysis that evaluates hard and soft savings. Hard savings reflect direct financial impacts such as reduced operating costs, lower potable water procurement expenses and decreased wastewater discharge fees.
Soft savings include broader, less tangible benefits such as lowering the facility’s overall water footprint and improving resilience against water scarcity. While these benefits may not always show a decrease in the cost of operations, they strengthen the long-term sustainability of the business and corporate reputation.
Stanley Consultants’ engineers and cost estimators provide early conceptual designs and estimated construction costs analyses to aid in decision making. These cost analyses include an assessment of current water use to identify where reuse opportunities exist.
Overcoming Public Perception Challenges around Water Reuse
To overcome public perception barriers, water reuse projects require effective communication and stakeholder engagement. Stanley supports clients with community outreach strategies, including collaboration with local officials. Stanley recently helped a beverage manufacturer successfully engage local government officials and its community to build support for their water reuse plans. This collaboration highlighted the project’s potential for positive impact.
Work with Stanley Consultants to Develop your Industrial Water Reuse System Today
Our
water and wastewater team helps industrial companies and utilities alike modernize and strengthen their water reuse systems to better prepare for the future. Our solutions include:
- Conducting thorough assessments of water usage and identify opportunities for water savings and reuse.
- Exploring available water sources, including treated municipal wastewater and onsite wastewater.
- Investing in appropriate treatment technologies that meet the required water quality standards for specific applications.
- Engaging with utilities and regulatory bodies to understand the regulatory framework and available support for water reuse projects.
- Developing a comprehensive water management plan that incorporates water reuse as a key component.
By adopting these solutions, clients can reduce their water footprint and enhance their resilience to future water-related challenges. As the industrial sector continues to evolve, embracing water reuse is a critical step toward achieving effective, sustainable and environmentally responsible operations.