Sign up to access the complete lesson and track your progress!
Unlock This CourseIndustry is one of the biggest users of water worldwide, consuming about 22% of all freshwater globally. From cooling power stations to making paper, water plays a crucial role in almost every industrial process. Understanding how industry uses water helps us see why managing this resource is so important for our economy and environment.
Key Definitions:
Water is essential for industry because it's an excellent solvent, coolant and transport medium. It can dissolve many substances, absorb large amounts of heat and move materials through pipes easily. These properties make it irreplaceable in most industrial processes.
Different industries use water in various ways, each with specific requirements for water quality and quantity. Let's explore the main categories of industrial water use.
The largest single use of water in industry is for cooling. Power stations, steel mills and chemical plants generate enormous amounts of heat that must be removed to keep equipment working safely.
Thermal power stations use water to create steam that drives turbines. They also need vast amounts of water for cooling. A typical coal-fired power station uses about 2 billion litres of water per day!
Steel mills use water to cool hot metal and equipment. The water absorbs heat and prevents machinery from overheating during the intense processes of making steel.
Chemical reactions often produce heat. Water cooling systems remove this heat and keep reactions at the right temperature for safe and efficient production.
Many industries use water as an ingredient or processing medium. This water often needs to be very pure and may become part of the final product.
Food processing uses water for washing, cooking and as an ingredient. Soft drink companies need extremely pure water - it takes about 2.5 litres of water to make 1 litre of Coca-Cola when you include all the processing steps!
Making paper requires huge amounts of water to break down wood fibres and wash the pulp. It takes about 20 litres of water to make just one sheet of A4 paper. The industry has worked hard to reduce this through recycling.
Nestlé, the world's largest food company, has committed to reducing water use in its factories. In their UK facilities, they've cut water consumption by 35% since 2005 through recycling systems, efficient cleaning processes and better equipment. Their factory in Tutbury, Staffordshire, now reuses 95% of its process water.
Different industries need different water quality standards. Some processes require water purer than drinking water, while others can use lower-quality water.
Some industries require extremely pure water for their processes to work properly and produce high-quality products.
Computer chip manufacturing needs ultra-pure water with almost no dissolved minerals. Even tiny impurities can ruin delicate electronic components.
Drug manufacturing requires sterile, pure water to prevent contamination. Patient safety depends on using the highest quality water in medicine production.
Drinks companies treat water to remove chlorine, minerals and other substances that could affect taste. The water must be consistent to ensure product quality.
Not all industrial processes need pure water. Some can use treated wastewater or lower-grade water sources.
Dust suppression, concrete mixing and washing equipment can use recycled water or water that wouldn't be suitable for drinking. This helps conserve high-quality water for more critical uses.
Industrial water use can significantly impact the environment. Understanding these effects is crucial for sustainable water management.
Industrial processes can contaminate water with chemicals, heat and other pollutants. This affects rivers, lakes and groundwater if not properly managed.
Power stations discharge warm water into rivers, raising water temperature. This reduces oxygen levels and can harm fish and other aquatic life. The River Trent near power stations can be 5-8°C warmer than normal.
Without proper treatment, industrial wastewater can contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Strict regulations now control what industries can discharge.
Thames Water works with over 3,000 industrial customers in London to manage water use and wastewater treatment. Companies like Heathrow Airport have installed water recycling systems that save 40 million litres annually. The partnership approach helps industries reduce costs while protecting water quality in the River Thames.
Modern industries are adopting innovative approaches to reduce water consumption and environmental impact while maintaining productivity.
Many industries now treat and reuse water multiple times before discharge, dramatically reducing their freshwater needs.
These systems continuously recycle water within the facility. Cooling water is cleaned and reused rather than discharged, reducing consumption by up to 90%.
Factories collect rainwater from roofs and use it for non-critical processes like cleaning and cooling. This reduces demand on mains water supplies.
Treating wastewater on-site allows it to be reused for appropriate purposes, reducing both water consumption and wastewater discharge.
New technologies and better management practices help industries use water more efficiently without compromising production quality.
Digital sensors track water use in real-time, identifying leaks and inefficiencies quickly. This technology can reduce water waste by 20-30% in typical industrial facilities.
JLR's Halewood plant on Merseyside has cut water use per vehicle by 70% since 2007. They've installed rainwater collection systems, water recycling plants and efficient cleaning systems. The plant now uses just 1.7 cubic metres of water per car produced, compared to the industry average of 4 cubic metres.
As water becomes scarcer and environmental regulations stricter, industries must continue innovating to maintain sustainable water use.
New technologies offer promising solutions for reducing industrial water consumption and improving treatment efficiency.
Advanced filtration systems can purify wastewater to drinking water standards, enabling complete water recycling in many industrial processes.
Using bacteria and other microorganisms to break down pollutants offers a natural, cost-effective way to treat industrial wastewater.
Industrial water management continues to evolve as companies balance economic needs with environmental responsibility. The most successful industries are those that view water efficiency as both an environmental duty and a business opportunity, investing in technologies and practices that secure their water future while protecting this precious resource for everyone.