Chemical manufacturing water efficiency

You can identify ways to reduce the cost of water use and effluent generation in your chemicals business by reviewing your processes and creating an action plan - see step-by-step approach to reduce water use in chemical manufacturing.

Areas you may want to focus on to reduce water use include:

• vessel washing - see vessel-washing procedures for chemical manufacturing
• equipment cooling and vacuum pumps - see equipment cooling and vacuum pumps for chemical manufacturing
• reusing water from effluent and recovering raw materials - see effluent treatment and reuse in chemical manufacturing
• using different sources of water for processes where mains water is not necessary - see alternative water supplies for chemical manufacturing
• product recovery, cleaning and rinsing techniques, process evaluation and process plant techniques - see  how to save water at industrial premises
• commercial facilities such as washrooms, catering facilities and vehicle cleaning - see how to save water at commercial premises
• heating and hot water systems, water meters, leakages and overflows, water pressure and pressure-reducing valves and reducing mains water use through rainwater harvesting - see water reviews, policies and action plans
• preventing spills and leaks and handling materials securely, thus avoiding the need to waste water cleaning up after accidents - see preventing water pollution