Published on IDRA Global Connections Summer 2021 Issue
By Dr. Marcio Jose, CEO of Aquapolo Ambiental
Water is the main reason for life on Earth and the most important natural resource for humanity. But it is a finite resource. Less than 3% of all Earth’s water is freshwater, and only about 1% is easily accessible and mainly replenished by precipitation – a vital component of the natural water cycle. The global use of water has increased six times over the last hundred years. It continues to grow steadily, at a rate of about 1% per year¹ due to the increasing population, economic development, and shifting consumption patterns, leading to tough competition for water, especially in areas with poor water availability. One study concluded that we could face a 40% global water deficit by 2030 if we keep living and working the way we have².
Typically, the work to improve water availability is done on distribution losses and extracting additional volume from natural water sources, often distant and energy demanding. We in the water sector need to look sideways and see how other industries are recycling and reusing materials in a sustainable manner. Why not doing it to water? Water reuse is a safe and sustainable solution that can bring several direct and indirect benefits for its consumers and their communities or regions and the environment.
Strategically speaking, the great benefit of reuse water is the reduction of water extraction or the improvement of water availability in areas under stress and the contribution to minimizing climate change impact on water sources. According to the World Economic Forum, since 2014, extreme weather events have been high global risk in terms of likelihood, and water crises have been in the top five in terms of impact³. By reducing the demand and stress on freshwater sources while decreasing the amount of wastewater discharged on the nature, we are helping to recover the environment and consequently minimizing those risks.
Our reuse water helps many businesses, like petrochemicals, tire, copper, and aluminum companies, produce responsibly and reduce the impact of their operations on the environment.
Another great benefit is in the quality of reuse water, which can be diverse, meaning it can be specified and produced according to its use and parameters needed, and based on the technology available or invested. This allows consumers to have one or more types of water suitable to all their uses and with different costs and tariffs. It does help to minimize some of the conflicts among the largest global water consumers – agriculture and industrial, including energy generation – and the municipal consumers.
In today’s circular economy, it is simply unacceptable to ignore the advantages of recycling and to reuse residual water or wastewater.
By working with reuse water supply for industrial purposes – I run Aquapolo, Latin America’s largest water reuse enterprise – I am familiar with the benefits of reuse water for the industrial sector. Our reuse water helps many businesses, like petrochemicals, tire, copper, and aluminum companies, produce responsibly and reduce the impact of their operations on the environment. At the same time, these companies have lowered their maintenance costs due to reuse water quality, reducing personnel exposure to risks and consequently reducing their level of work accidents.
Aquapolo’s customers also benefit from the positive image of their brands related to reuse water. Through sustainable production and by contributing to increase potable water availability in areas under heavy water stress, they can comply with their ESG strategy and agenda. In fact, I believe the best way to generate value for our customers and ensure sustainability is through the ESG aspect of the business.
Our customers are starting to see the great opportunities being offered by the financial market in green bonds or debt titles linked to sustainability goals. To access these instruments, they sure must change their speech and implement policies, actions, and targets related to water and sustainability not only on their sites but also on their communities while supporting the entire society. That is why I am so proud of Aquapolo’s slogan: “Transform to Perpetuate”. It is the essence of sustainability, and a perfect example of the win-win situation only water reuse initiatives can provide.
Governments, companies e people must understand the real value of water – a limited resource that suffers from pollution and over exploration, on top of the impact of climate changes. In today’s circular economy, it is simply unacceptable to ignore the advantages of recycling and to reuse residual water or wastewater. Humanity recycles so many different materials, and why are we so behind in recycling the most precious element for us?