HOW DO INDUSTRIES USE AND TREAT WATER?

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Logo for Industrial Water Week

Appreciating Industrial Water Treatment Pros

I've highlighted drinking water, wastewater and reclaimed water here at the Florida Water Geek. But these descriptions were focused on domestic water uses--homes and commercial businesses. What about industries? 
Cooling Tower
Photo by Randgruppe - Pixaby
Since this is Industrial Water Week, I thought I'd give our industrial water treatment professionals some well-deserved attention.

Nearly every industry - from power plants to food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, electronics, data centers and more - uses water.  

Water may be used as part of the manufacturing process itself, or for cooling, cleaning, or materials transport. 

Where Do Industries Get Their Water?

From the Local Water Utility Drinking Water System

Some industries get their water from the local utility. They use the utility's treated drinking water, which is metered and paid for like any customer. Proper cross-connection control and backflow prevention is essential for these industries, to protect drinking water from contamination.

Reclaimed Water from a Local Utility

Clarifier at Water Reclamation Facility
Clarifier at WRF-Photo by Donna Kaluzniak
Using advanced-treated reclaimed water from the local utility is becoming more mainstream. It can be a win-win solution, as utilities are needing to find more uses for reclaimed water (especially due to Senate Bill 64) - and may offer reduced costs for large-use customers.

From Their Own Source

Some industries source their own water from wells or nearby water bodies. The industry would be required to obtain a water use permit from one of Florida's five Water Management Districts. These permits require specific testing, monitoring, and reporting. 

Additional Treatment May Be Needed

Even if the industry uses drinking water from a local utility, they may need to treat the water further depending on its use.

Certain industries need to adjust the drinking water to a specific pH (acidity/alkalinity), soften the water, or require ultra-pure water. Water volumes and treatment levels are specific to every industry.

What Happens to the Used Water?

All industrial wastewater must be treated before disposal. The type of treatment and means of disposal is again industry-specific. It also depends on the effluent disposal site.

All industrial wastewater must meet Florida's Water Quality Standards for surface water or groundwater before disposal. 

Direct Discharge to Surface or Ground Water

If the industry will be discharging any water to Florida's surface waters or ground waters, a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is required. This permit will include requirements for testing, monitoring, and reporting. FDEP will conduct regular inspections of the facility as well. 

Discharge to a Utility's Wastewater Treatment Facility

Aeration basin at Water Reclamation Facility
Water Reclamation Facility - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak
The industry may prefer to discharge their wastewater to a utility's domestic wastewater treatment or
 water reclamation facility (WRF). 

In this case, the industry must provide preliminary treatment before it will be accepted at the WRF. The utility must have a Domestic Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program in place, and be willing to accept the wastewater.

The purpose of the Pretreatment Program is to eliminate any pollutants that would interfere with the biological treatment process - or that would pass through the process and enter a receiving stream. 

In this case, the utility acts as a regulatory agency. The industry would obtain a permit directly from the utility. The industry would still be required to conduct monitoring and testing and send results to the utility. And the utility would be responsible for inspecting the facility, and prohibiting any discharges that did not meet requirements.

What Do Industrial Water Professionals Do?

Industrial water treatment professionals do much the same activities as water professionals in utilities. These employees may be treatment plant operators, engineers, maintenance specialists, chemists, and other professionals. 

Operating techniques are specific to each industry. The need may be to prevent scale or corrosion, prevent bacteriological issues like Legionnella, ensure treatment or pretreatment meets regulatory requirements for discharge. Industrial water pros run laboratory tests, maintain equipment, adjust process controls , troubleshoot problems, and complete reports. 

They may be working on boilers, cooling towers, or entire treatment plants. Below is a short video explaining some of the challenges encountered in industrial facilities.


Protecting Our Water While Producing Our Products

Our industries are essential to life - from food and medicine to electricity and clothing. Industrial water professionals help to protect our waters while making sure our other needs are met.

Geek Out










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