Insights
As a global leader in water solutions and services, Ecolab remains dedicated to creating a more water secure future through smart water management, conservation and stewardship. By 2030 we plan to continue to achieve a Net Positive Water Impact through:
- Reducing, recycling and replenishing water at operational sites. We are targeting to reduce water impact by 40% per unit production across our enterprise from a 2018 base year.
- Protecting local watersheds by working to restore greater than 50% of our absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.
- Delivering outcomes through the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by achieving AWS certification for Ecolab manufacturing sites located in high-risk watersheds.
Ecolab's manufacturing facility located in Lerma, Mexico, near Mexico City, Mexico, is a key contributor to these goals. The Lerma site is a blend and reaction plant that primarily produces water treatment solutions and products. The Lerma facility sources water from the Valle de Toluca Aquifer, the Lerma site is a part of the Rio Lerma 1 watershed. A minor portion of the plant's water is supplemented by an on-site rainwater collection system and wastewater reclamation. Wastewater is treated by a third-party wastewater treatment facility and ultimately discharged to the Lerma River. Wastewater processed through the onsite wastewater treatment plan and is then discharged into the municipal sewer system, which is connected to a local water treatment facility, Reciclagua, for further treatment. Water is then released into the Rio Lerma River. Process tank wash water is collected in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and reused. Residual water is channeled to an on-site trench and processed through the onsite water treatment facility.
The Lerma site was identified as a priority location to pursue AWS certification, enhance the site's smart water management approach and implement innovative technologies to advance enterprise water goals.
Actions
To contribute to Ecolab's enterprise water goals, the local team's objective is to reduce annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030.
The following projects help improve the facility's water balance and have been implemented to reduce overall water use:
- Expansion of onsite rainwater collection system for use in the emergency sprinkler system and increasing operational capacity
- Installation of high-efficiency bathroom fixtures
- Installation of a condensate recovery system
- Optimization of process equipment washout processes
- Improvement in deionized water system efficiency
- Enhanced automation of the boiler system
- Cooling tower upgrades
- Installation and optimization of onsite wastewater reclamation system
Outcomes
The improvements made at the Lerma site have proved to be a helpful step forward for enhancing the site's operations and advancing Ecolab's sustainability goals.