One of the most important natural resources, water is essential for society and production processes. Whether as a biochemical component of living beings, as a means of life for various plant and animal species, as a representative element of social and cultural values and as a production factor for various final and intermediate consumer goods. Supply crises, in Brazil and around the world, are leading society to understand that water management has become a global priority.
Issues related to water risk, loss management, water reuse and new technologies to mitigate these risks are increasingly recurring themes among companies seeking greater efficiency in their processes.
What is water reuse?
Although it has gained greater attention in recent years, the concept of reuse is very old and refers to the very existence of the natural water cycle, which normally considers collection, use and disposal.
Water, however, has a natural circulation mechanism that makes it reusable several times and for different purposes. Based on this concept, we can define water reuse as the use of treated effluents for beneficial purposes, such as irrigation, industrial use and non-potable urban purposes. Before discarding the water, make the most of it, using efficient treatment techniques, so that the same water can be reused several times.
Reasons for water reuse
According to environmental engineer Takashi Asano, the reasons for water reuse can be:
- Reduce pollution in waterways,
- Promote, in the long term, a reliable source of water supply,
- Management of water demand during periods of drought.
In addition, we can add the list of benefits ranging from water savings to the containment of financial resources that the company may have with the implementation of these practices. Some industrial processes can reach water reuse capacity of 97%.
Where is water reuse most indicated?
From individual use to the highest level of business decision-making, reuse must be considered in all environments. At home, we can reuse water discarded by the washing machine in toilets, or even to wash yards or sidewalks. Furthermore, many cities and buildings already use reused water to clean streets, areas and flush toilets.
Even though water reuse is a practice used in our daily lives, it can be adopted in the most diverse types of companies, as long as there is a special assessment on a case-by-case basis for the implementation of this process. Check out some options for activities that consume a lot of water and can use recycled water:
- refrigeration
- Boiler Feeding
- process water
- heavy construction
- Irrigation of green areas
- Floor and parts cleaning
Recycled water does not need to be used only in these mentioned processes, but also in any activity, as long as the characteristics of the water meet the quality requirements required for the application of the intended process.
What do I need to do before implementing reuse techniques?
Before implementing reuse, it is necessary to evaluate the potential of this practice for your company. This assessment will take into account:
- Quality of water available for abstraction,
- The effluent generated,
- Intended applications.
From this information, it will be possible to make a material balance, being essential to have data on the quality and quantity of water captured, and the effluent released into the environment. It will then be possible to determine the volume of water lost and incorporated into the products and the amount of chemical substances added to the water during use.
