English
Ecolab’s Pune, India, Plant
Certifying as Water Stewardship Leader
Published December 2024
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 Pune, India, is a key contributor to these goals. Ecolab’s Pune facility primarily utilizes water sourced from a water supplier, Poonam Water, which draws water from a borewell that taps into the Maharashtra aquifer. Effluents from process water are treated onsite, recycled and reused for gardening and flushing. Domestic effluents are sent to onsite soak pits which allow for water to flow through filtration layers and then percolate into the soil.
The Pune 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:
- Optimizations were made in the demineralized water system to reduce chemical and water consumption in re-generation.
- A rainwater collection system was implemented to help reduce water extraction.
- Effluent process water is being reused for landscaping, toilet flushing and scrubbers.
Outcomes
The improvements made at the Pune site have helped enhance the site’s operations and advancing Ecolab’s sustainability goals.Featured Solutions
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Sustainable Water Balance
Ecolab Smart Water Navigator
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Water Quality
3D TRASAR technology for Cooling
With the aim to improve overall health of local watersheds, and as part of Ecolab’s efforts to create 2030 Positive Impact, we have prioritized AWS certification in high-risk watersheds in which we operate.
Good Water
Governance
✓
Sustainable Water Balance
✓
Good Water
Quality Status
✓
Important Water-Related Areas
✓
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash)
✓
Water Stewardship Journey
Ecolab is committed to sustainable water use in our facilities and collaboration with other businesses at the local level. In alignment with Ecolab’s commitment to a holistic approach to water management across its manufacturing facilities, the company is pursuing Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Pune, India, manufacturing site.
To identify shared water challenges in the Maharashtra aquifer and Mula River basin, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab’s Smart Water Navigator, and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas. Implementation of water withdrawal reduction projects were prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Ecolab’s water stewardship approach aims to make a positive impact within our operations and on the water challenges within the communities we operate in. For the Pune facility local stakeholders, the top water-related challenge is water quality which can be affected by contamination from sewage and industrial waste, agricultural runoff urban runoff, inadequate water treatment infrastructure and seasonal variance.
To effectively address the challenge, a strong water stewardship approach strives for continuous improvement in sustainable site water balance and water quality. Our holistic approach includes a focus on important water related areas and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and our continued progress in these critical areas depends on our strong water governance.
Sustainable Water Balance
Net Positive Water
A sustainable water balance and smart water management approach within our own operations is a critical component in achieving in achieving enterprise-wide net positive water impact. Aligned with the enterprise goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce the site’s annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The team at Ecolab’s Pune site assessed the facility for opportunities to decrease water use across operations to meet Ecolab’s targets to create 2030 Positive Impact. Implementation of water reduction projects are prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Water Quality
Water Quality Approach
To maintain good water quality, at the Pune site, incoming water is tested daily to assess pH and conductivity. An external lab wastewater analysis is completed on a monthly basis. For potable water, an external analysis is completed annually.
Prior to draining storm water and discharging wastewater, facilities must visually inspect and test the effluent to confirm that it meets the local environmental requirements, permit limits or company standards. If there are no local environmental requirements or permit limits, company standards must be met for stormwater discharge into an adjacent water way or wastewater effluent into a city sewer system. If a spill or water-related issue were to occur the site has a robust incident response plan that includes a root cause analysis of the original incident, documentation in an internal reporting platform and communication of mitigation strategies. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request.
Water Governance
Water Governance Approach
At the plant level, the reliability team Leader is responsible for wastewater compliance, and the plant manager is accountable. The corporate environmental lead is available to consult on regulatory updates and wastewater compliance. Additionally, the reliability team leader is responsible for water monitoring requirements and any applicable external regulations per Ecolab's internal global supply chain environmental policy. The corporate environmental lead is available to consult on regulatory updates and wastewater compliance. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request, including necessary corrective action taken by the site to prevent future occurrences.
The corporate sustainability team is guided and advised by the Sustainability Executive Advisory Team (SEAT), which is made up of the company’s most senior business and divisional leaders. In addition, Ecolab’s Sustainability, Water Stewardship and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) positions are publicly available and serve as commitments to and guidance on water-related issues and compliance. Ecolab’s Sustainability Position formalizes Ecolab’s global commitment to sustainability within the company and its impact on customers. Ecolab’s Water Stewardship Position reinforces Ecolab’s global commitment to responsible water stewardship by identifying opportunities for the company and its customers to use water resources in a manner that benefits business, communities and nature. Ecolab’s SHE position outlines the company’s commitment to excellence in safety, health and environmental practices and performance across global operations.
Important Water Related Areas
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Collective Action
In addition to internal operational improvements, Ecolab’s Pune facility’s external water stewardship activities are ongoing. The top water-related challenge for the plant and relevant, local stakeholders is water quality which is significantly affected by contamination from sewage and industrial waste, agricultural runoff urban runoff, inadequate water treatment infrastructure and seasonal variance. To address this challenge, Ecolab collaborates with other water users in the basin.
In 2024, Ecolab partnered with SayTrees Environmental Trust and CLEAN International to implement a lake rejuvenation project in the Krishna Basin in Pune, India. The objectives of the project are to increase water security for local communities, water storage and groundwater infiltration through the rejuvenation of Kodit Khurd and Raut Khori lakes near Pune. This is part of a regional effort to improve water security, restore lakes and recharge groundwater. The project includes strengthening the quality of the lakes themselves as well as a community project where Ecolab employees and community members planted trees and plants around the lakes.
On top of local water stewardship efforts, Ecolab’s global giving program, Solutions for Life, enhances the company’s mission to conserve and protect fresh water through partnership and additional projects with TNC and the Project WET Foundation.
This case study was created to comply with AWS indicators 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.3.1. 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3. For more information, please contact sustainability@ecolab.com.