WATER TREATMENT
Customizing water efficiency solutions for industrial manufacturers By Alyssa Cerbu and Eric Meliton
T
he manufacturing sector in Canada faces many challenges related to international competition. To remain competitive, companies must seek viable solutions while still complying with industry standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practices for food and beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers. One such challenge is the rising costs of production due in large part to the costs of inputs, such as energy and water. For a small to medium sized business especially, these strains can hurt profit and overall security. Therefore, it becomes more important to try to minimize costs and maximize resource productivity in a way that is feasible for the business, remains in line with their existing operations and ensures compliance with their industry’s regulations. Partners in Project Green, a group within the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, works with businesses in the Greater Toronto Area to help customize solutions for their various environmental challenges. It has been developing a series of capital projects to showcase best practices in water stewardship and what is feasible for any set of operations.
PARTNERS IN SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMMING Partners in Project Green works with the Region of Peel, York Region and City of Toronto to increase the effectiveness of existing municipal water efficiency programs. Through enrollment in these municipal programs, commercial and industrial manufacturers can obtain capital efficiency recommendations they can implement to realize savings on their utility bills. Frequently, however, businesses do not know where to start and find that water efficiency is not a concern for all internal stakeholders. Through the Innovative Water Technologies Program, member organizations can gain access to a network of experts www.esemag.com
Top: As part of the retrofit projects, a reverse osmosis system was installed to filter process water for reuse as scrubber make-up. Right: Enviro-Stewards Inc. worked closely with Dextran Products Ltd. to identify opportunities for retrofit projects in their plant.
and vendors that support the implementation of process water and wastewater efficiency technologies. Through a series of workshops and its municipal partnership with the City of Toronto, Partners in Project Green was put in touch with Dextran Products Ltd., which used over 13,000 m3 of water per year. As part of the vendor network, Enviro-Stewards Inc. worked closely with the company to identify opportunities for retrofit capital projects in their plant
that would add up to efficient water and energy savings. Dextran Products have been operating in their Toronto production facility for over four decades, manufacturing bulk dextran powders and liquids for sale and export through an international network of human and animal health product distributors. They are primarily used to treat anemia in pigs as well as for biological and biochemical research. Derivative continued overleaf...
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