The Hindu : National : Industrial units urged to reduce water wastage

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Saturday, Jul 07, 2007
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Industrial units urged to reduce water wastage

Special Correspondent

“Industrial consumption will double in next two decades”

— P0hoto: S. S. Kumar

Water meet: R. Rajagopal, Secretary, Environment and Forest Department (right), T.T. Ashok, Member, CII National Council (centre), and Amit Sen Gupta, co-convenor, Energy, Enviro and Occupational Health Panel, CII Tamil Nadu, at a seminar on industrial water conservation, reuse, recycle and zero discharge in industries, held in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: State Environment and Forests Department Secretary R. Rajagopal on Friday urged the industrial units to adopt innovative methods in water consumption to reduce wastage of world scarce commodity.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Industrial Water Conservation’ reuse, recycle and zero discharge in industries, he said that industries were the second major consumer of water after agriculture.

While the agricultural sector used fresh water and released fresh water into the system after cultivation, the same was not the case with industries.

The industrial water consumption would double in the next two decades due to globalisation and increasing economic activity. This would result in increased stress not only on water availability for industries but also for population and agriculture.

Lot of scope

“There is a lot of scope for industries to reduce water consumption. Using of high pressure low volume hose would go a long way in reducing consumption of water. Utilities and industries must find alternative ways of reusing water to reduce their total water demand, as water supply would become scarce and more expensive in the future. Municipalities and industries should plan to incorporate water reuse into the design of new plants wherever possible. Integrated water management practices offer both economic and environmental advantages,” he added.

On its part, the State Government had been protecting and preserving land, air and water in a focussed way. For the last four to five years, the State Government had spent nearly Rs 1,000 crore on treating sewage water. Urban afforestation is being taken up in municipal corporation areas at a cost of Rs 4 crore. The State Government would give one lakh seedling for development of tree gardens. Besides, Rs 10 crore is earmarked for raising seedling on private farm land. The farmers will be given financial support.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region Convenor N. Srikanth asked the industrial units to set up water conservation bodies to conserve and reuse water in an efficient manner.

CII National Council Member T. T. Ashok said it was time for the industry to conduct water audits to help themselves and the country as well. Corporates should take part in the construction of water works to ensure supply of clean drinking waters.

Role of industry

“While everyone feels that the onus is on the government to manage water crisis, industry also needs to play an enlarged role in making available pure and clean water to everyone through an efficient system and best practices,” he added.

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