Article

Treating and using our water more wisely

Despite rising demands for water and energy, we’re continuing to contaminate or waste our available resources. The availability of the world’s scarce water resources is increasingly limited due to the pollution of freshwater resources caused by the disposal of large quantities of insufficiently treated, or untreated, wastewater into rivers, lakes, aquifers and coastal waters. A total of 80% of all wastewater returns to nature without being properly treated.

And as more of us move to cities, we collectively consume more goods, which subsequently require more water. This water makes up a huge percentage of our daily usage but is completely invisible to us. Every single product we use, eat or wear takes water to produce. For instance, it takes 8,000 litres of water to produce a pair of jeans — which is a lot. But if we started to use the same water more than once, with intelligent water solutions, we could dramatically lower that number. 

These water issues translate directly into environmental, social and economic problems that affect us all. We all play an active role: Politicians must implement necessary legislation, cities must implement available water and energy efficient solutions, and companies must prioritise responsible water usage, reuse and treatment as well as energy efficient solutions. 

Together, we can work to secure more clean water where it is needed, reduce water and energy consumption and minimise water loss – with less stress on available resources.

Facts

Water footprint

Today, approx. 90% of the water used in our daily lives, you never see. The large percentage is used to uphold a comfortable living and produce food and goods. 

Source: World Water Council

Consumer behaviour 

Changes in consumer behaviour and consumption patterns are expected to increase demand for water and energy by approximately 40% and 50% respectively by 2030. 

Source: The European Commission: growing Consumerism

Water use

Domestic water use constitutes only 10% of total global water consumption; approximately 70% is used in agriculture and the remaining 20% in industry.

Source: World Water Council

With intelligent water solutions we can make a difference 

To solve some of the world's biggest water challenges, intelligent water solutions play a critical role. Solutions are already available to help treat wastewater, minimise contamination of water as well as reuse industrial wastewater to reduce overall water consumption. These solutions can turn waste into resources. 

Water reuse turns wastewater into resource at surface treatment plant

Previously, Grundfos sent its dirty CED process water to an on-site pre-treatment centre. Here, it went through a basic filtering and pre-treatment before flowing onward to the city’s own municipal wastewater treatment facility. This was until Grundfos built a full wastewater treatment and recycling system for the CED rinsing water. Meaning there was no longer any waste — only resources. 

Want to learn more?

The only way to make a change is to act. Below are some resources for further learning, including an overview of our current solutions.