Optimise your industrial water use: from audit to treatment plant

At the moment, water is still inexpensive. But what does the future hold for drinking water, cooling water and process water, etc.? Elements that form the backbone of your industrial production. Industry currently consumes about 300 million m³ of water a year. This accounts for about 40 per cent of water use in Flanders. All the more reason for a forward-thinking company like yours to adopt a strategic approach to your water management. You can rely on us for integrated water advice and concrete solutions.

Every drop counts and serves a purpose

Want to reduce water scarcity and operational risks? Start at the beginning: with a clear analysis of your entire water resources management. We conduct a water audit to objectively map all water flows at your site: from process water, surface water and wastewater to rainwater, groundwater and drinking water. Our approach is independent of technology suppliers.

You get clear insights and achievable optimisations for your entire water cycle. Examples include reusing effluent or constituent flows, rainwater recovery, cooling or rinsing water reuse, optimisation of chemical dosing, sludge treatment and emission reduction or process intensification in case of lack of space.

It provides a great many benefits. You lower your water consumption, reduce water discharge and increase your chances of obtaining an environmental permit. At the same time, you save energy and make your production more robust, even during dry periods. Those that anticipate water-critical processes and mitigate risks get more favourable financial ratings and a positive ESG profile. Because companies that adopt a mindful approach to water rate higher with investors, stakeholders and governments.

Legislation calls for strategic water management

Legislators are also pushing hard for more sustainable water use. The European Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) compels companies to reduce the environmental impact of their industrial facilities. And the recently revised Urban Wastewater Directive, through Extended Producer Responsibility (UPV), places part of the treatment burden on industry. Specifically, it means you will have to absorb additional treatment costs related to, for example, micropollutants. There will also be more thorough monitoring of the spread of PFAS and other forever chemicals. In Flanders, the legislation is translated into VLAREM regulations, among others.

From water audit to customised water treatment

Besides water audits, troubleshooting and strategic advice, we guide you through the entire process: from vision to implementation. You can count on us for:

• Feasibility studies, zero-discharge and impact analyses (Wezer)
• Master plans
• The application of best available techniques
• The design and implementation of wastewater treatment plants
• Training

Our water specialists combine concept development, basic and detailed engineering with construction management, commissioning and start-up. In the design, we use digital tools such as 3D scanning and modelling to optimally configure complex installations. Clashes – lost time and extra costs – are avoided thanks to accurate 3D drawings. And with the help of our multidisciplinary teams (civil engineering, piping, E&I, automation), we make sure the overall picture adds up. You get a watertight water solution.

Today, water is more than a resource. It is strategic capital that you can control, make more sustainable and valorise. Water is referred to as the new blue gold. And rightly so. Those who use it sparingly, and optimally use every drop locally will benefit.

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