Water and wastewater minimization: the Aire and Calder project

The reduction of the waste of raw materials at source using clean technologies, recycling, and good housekeeping has considerable benefits for both the environment and industry. A demonstration project on wastewater minimization was completed in 1995 in the Aire and Calder catchments of West Yorkshire. The findings indicated cost savings for eleven firms of over £3 million/annum and further opportunities which, when implemented, could realize another £1 million/annum. The reduction in the amount of wastewater discharged either to sewer or river was 27%, with a potential to increase to over 40%. The payback period for 63% of the waste minimization opportunities is less than one year and many involve only a small initial investment. Waste minimization when widely adopted has prospects for cutting industry's costs, reducing demand for water and reducing the volume of effluent produced.