Among all the legislative, financial and environmental issues faced by food and beverage producers, one of the most challenging can be the management of water on their sites. However, this process can be simplified through collaboration with the right water treatment specialist to find the most suitable solution.
Food and beverage manufacturers depend on a reliable supply of water. From ingredient water to cleaning to cooling, it is an essential element at every stage of the process. This also means that production facilities often generate large quantities of wastewater, which must be managed effectively to ensure compliance with water discharge agreements. This is part of a wider issue of wastewater from industry. Estimates suggest that across the EU the volume of wastewater produced from industrial sites is around 25.5 billion m3(1) each year.
In addition, water authorities across Europe have put restrictions on the industrial use of mains water to 
help manage national and regional supplies. This is because, as the European Environment Agency (EEA) notes, water demand across Europe has increased steadily in the last 50 years and has resulted in a 24% decrease in the available water per person(2). EEA estimates also suggest that every year on average around 30% of the European population is affected by water stress, meaning demand exceeds the available supply either temporarily or continually.
Understanding the problem
These challenges are closely linked, and with the right technologies, there are opportunities for manufacturers to reduce costs as well as minimise their environmental impact. There is a wide range of wastewater treatment technologies and so choosing the right one will depend on the specific characteristics of the site’s wastewater. The volume and composition of the wastewater will vary considerably depending on the type of product being manufactured. It may have high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as high levels of nutrients and suspended and dissolved solids.
The first step should be to understand the exact requirements. Specialists such as Veolia Water Technologies will be able to offer a complete analysis of the wastewater. The results of this can then be used to recommend the treatment solution that best meets the requirements at the optimum operational and capital expenditure levels. At Veolia Water Technologies we can offer a comprehensive range of the wastewater treatment technologies including, aerobic and anaerobic treatment, clarification systems and Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) solutions. With anaerobic processes, there is also the option to integrate biogas production into the wastewater treatment to produce a sustainable energy source.
Looking at wastewater differently
Alternatively, many manufacturers are looking at how they can manage water as an asset through the reuse and recycling of wastewater. This can offer significant savings due to the reduced cost of both mains water and discharging wastewater, as well as helping to ensure a reliable supply of water. There is often a misconception that recycled water does not meet the required standard, but it is important to remember that all mains water has been previously used and treated ready for reuse. There is a wide array of treatment technologies available to allow water reuse on site including filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), clarification and evaporation. Each of these processes has particular applications and a specialist will be able to provide guidance on which best fits the type of wastewater and how it will be reused.
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Ensuring future compliance
When investing in a new or upgraded water treatment solution it is also worth considering future demand. With water resources under increasing pressure and stricter targets being put in place for wastewater treatment, it is likely that water regulations and discharge permit conditions will continue to tighten in the coming years. Therefore, ensuring the system has the flexibility to meet changing wastewater requirements will help minimise costs and ensure compliance in the long term.
Given the challenges of wastewater in the food and beverage industry, it is important to partner with a water treatment specialist. Doing so will help your business to manage wastewater more sustainably and take advantage of the opportunities that water reuse can present.
Find out more about our experience in the sector and the water treatment technologies we offer here.
1 https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652623031955&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1719506405851433&usg=AOvVaw3M4mdJvCX6ZmrmPZW3K0qP
2 https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.eea.europa.eu/signals-archived/signals-2018-content-list/articles/water-use-in-europe-2014&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1719506405850106&usg=AOvVaw2_LXEfQvB157Tmbl1PBUuO
