Setting boundaries within a bottled water plant aid to better visualize the water use: An approach through the water footprint indicator

MAINARDI-REMIS, JUAN MARTÍN; GUTIÉRREZ-CACCIABUE, DOLORES; ROMERO, DANIEL SEBASTIÁN; RAJAL, VERÓNICA BEATRIZ

Journal of Water Process Engineering

Elsevier B.V.

Año: 2021 vol. 43

2214-7144

In this work, the total water involved in a bottled water model plant was estimated. Total water footprint (WF),including blue, grey, and indirect components were calculated for three setting boundaries: inner (process),middle (product) and outer (industry). Total WF was obtained as the sum of the direct (operational) and theindirect (supply chain) WF. Then, five hypothetical scenarios (with regard to the base-case) were examined tofind alternatives for WF reduction. In WF terms, total water use involved in the entire plant was 600% higherthan the amount directly consumed (blue). The indirect WF component contributed the most to the total in allboundaries (64?78%), due to energy consumption and raw materials. Blue and grey components were the highestin the inner due to bottles filling and detergent use. Hypothetical scenarios showed us that WF values can changeamong established boundaries, which would directly impact on decision-making, based upon the priorities set bythe stakeholders. For example, if business wants to increase production while minimizing water use, it shouldaim to reduce the WF of the middle boundary. Conversely, if the goal is to reach an environmental and socialcommitment, the plant should consider reducing the WF of the outer boundary, to reduce the electrical energyusage or to replace tap with groundwater. Defining boundaries for WF calculation is a smart tool to distinguishcritical sectors so that business could decide where and how to apply (or not) actions towards more efficientproduction.