Recycling water in a sustainable way is challenging – but necessary. New technologies for containing and conducting water allow this precious commodity to be managed more efficiently.
Read to the end for information and case studies that illustrate how it can be done
In other words, water has always been naturally recycled.
Water was considered an unlimited resource; manufacturers poured millions of litres of wastewater into rivers where it mixed with huge volumes of raw municipal sewage.
Natural cleaning and purification processes were not quick and efficient enough to decontaminate the water. Consequently, the frequency and severity of epidemics increased, plant and animal life decreased or disappeared in some rivers and oceans become inhabitable for many species.
Today, our perception of the value of water has changed; scarcity, drought and a greater social and environmental conscience mean that it is considered a precious resource that must be more carefully used and managed. However, large amounts of water are still used every day in industrial plants for manufacturing, processing, washing, diluting, cooling, or transporting goods. According to the EU (1) water is a crucial resource for several industrial sectors as 90% of our economy depends on water.
The European Commission highlighted in its Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), adopted on 24 November 2010, that “Industrial production processes account for a considerable share of the overall pollution in Europe due to their emissions of air pollutants, discharges of wastewater and the generation of waste”(3).
The IED(4) established that installations can only operate if in possession of a permit and have to comply with the conditions set therein. Therefore, the reuse of treated wastewater is not only an environmental imperative, it is a legal requirement too.
Concrete structures built in industrial environments are often affected by corrosion damage related to leakages of water and other chemicals. Refurbishment, waterproofing and protection of these assets will normally include upgrading the way that water is recycled to make the process more sustainable and to help preserve both water and concrete.
Master Builders Solutions offers a complete range of waterproofing systems for industrial plants which foster a circular economy and optimize resource efficiency, including waterproofing of clean and potable water tanks, protection of concrete in contact with process water, waterproofing and protection of industrial wastewater treatment plants and even protection of concrete in biogas digesters.
Our membranes for industrial water management can provide some or all of the following attributes:
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MasterSeal M 689 A pure polyurea waterproofing membrane with high elasticity. Offers both high chemical resistance and does not contaminate water by migration of its components. Read more here: MasterSeal M 689 |
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MasterSeal M 391 Two-component epoxy system, suitable for direct contact with drinking water and solid foodstuff, according to EU Reg 10/2011, ISEGA and several National Drinking Water Regulations.
Read more here: MasterSeal M 391 |
MasterSeal M 808 Two-component polyurethane membrane with high crack-bridging capacities. Approved under Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) regulations 2000 for use in contact with potable water in the UK.
Read more here: MasterSeal M 808 |
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MasterSeal 7000 CR High chemical resistance, crack bridging and can be applied to humid substrates, all combined in a single system. Based on Xolutec technology with specific resistance to hydrogen sulphide, biogenic sulphuric acid, wastewater, silage, etc.
Read more here: MasterSeal 7000 CR |
More information about the systems and experiences of Master Builders Solutions in industrial water management can be found in the links below:
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