Water and Wastewater Assessment
Water Neutral An Engineering Approach Reducing the environmental, economic and social impact of water footprints
CONTENTS
WATER NEUTRALITY
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WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
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PROCESSING A WAY FORWARD
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VALUE ENGINEERING
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KEY SERVICES
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Water Neutrality Water is a potential constraint to the future viability and profitability of businesses. Evidence shows that water resources are mismanaged, the cost of water is rising and risks to security of supply are increasing. Through water footprinting URS aims to help our clients achieve Water Neutrality.
For many years URS has been actively supporting clients with water resources, which includes offering water cycle and water balance assessments, looking at how water is used, where it can be sourced and where usage can be reduced through better awareness and new technologies. Now we are looking to help clients to move forward, beyond simple consideration of water consumption, towards water stewardship and water neutrality.
OUR SOLUTIONS MANAGE CLIENTS’ WATER USE TO REDUCE COSTS, ENHANCE REPUTATIONS AND ENSURE LEGAL COMPLIANCE
The water neutrality concept is a management tool for businesses to reduce and offset the environmental and social impacts of their residual water footprint, something which is now regarded as an essential part of sustainable corporate performance.
Ultimately, by reducing water consumption and passing water back to the environment to the same standard as it was sourced, or even better; we can aim to be water neutral and balance our impact on the environment.
A RECENT WATER FOOTPRINT STUDY FOR A MULTINATIONAL BREWER MEASURED THE EMBEDDED WATER IN CROP GROWING, BEER PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHT THROUGH TO BOTTLE RECYCLING AND WASTE DISPOSAL. WE ALSO REVIEWED FUTURE GOVERNMENT POLICY/CONSULTATIONS TO ESTABLISH RISKS AND CONSTRAINTS ON FUTURE WATER USE. OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING THE WATER FOOTPRINT COVERED NEW MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES, FARMING AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES AND GREY WATER RECYCLING. The positive and sustainable outcomes of a well implemented water neutrality plan could include improved ecology habitats, provision of better sanitation and improved community facilities.
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Water, Water Everywhere ... Available fresh water accounts for less than 0.007% of total water resources.
The demand for water has never been greater. Expanding populations and increases in industrial and manufacturing use mean that safe and clean water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. Prices are likely to continue rising as more water must be extracted from increasingly difficult sources and treatment becomes increasingly complex. To achieve water neutrality business and industries need to take steps to reduce their water consumption. This will reduce costs against the increasing price of water and
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mitigate their impacts on the surrounding environment. URS are at the forefront of this global drive to help our clients. URS have completed a number of studies in recent years which have reduced the footprints of our clients. We have successfully carried out studies for the food industry, natural resource, industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. Our multi-disciplinary design teams apply efficiency, wholelife-cost and sustainability techniques when developing new water systems and infrastructure.
URS carried out water network computational modelling to identify efficient pumps and reduce associated costs.
URS have completed ultrasonic flow monitoring and identified areas of high water use at Mopani Copper Mine and processing facility.
URS identified specific client opportunities for reducing water blue wastewater recycling (grey) and rain water harvesting (green).
URS conducted Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments looking at the water impact of High-Speed 2 and other flagship projects.
Processing a Way Forward URS’ multi-disciplinary breadth of process, environment and industry professionals sets us apart in our ability to identify and evaluate treatment processes linked to any industry. Efficient and sustainable process systems ensure that our client’s water is treated to their required standards and returned to the environment without adverse impacts.
Using the latest technological advances and our own innovative approaches URS engineers can design process systems to efficiently and sustainably treat the physical, chemical and biological properties of water used by our clients.
Examples of benefits we have delivered to our clients include: Wastewater capacity improvements through revision of process philosophies at three Molson Coors Brewery effluent plants in central Europe with minimal capital expenditure, allowing future increases in plant production.
Identification of key risks in water infrastructure at the world’s largest steel plant (Foz Do Brazil), leading to allocation of funds for standby plant.
Assessment of the UK abattoir industry as a whole, on behalf of DEFRA, including through stakeholder engagement, and identification of technologies and techniques for a possible 30% reduction in water usage.
Physical sampling of Pfizer pharmaceutical plant wastewater and identification of constituents, leading to analysis on the suitability of the existing treatment works, process improvements and better alignment with regulator consent.
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Value Engineering At URS our engineers pride themselves in adding value to our client’s designs. By encouraging value engineering from an early stage and throughout a project, efficiencies can be realised which lower costs and improve sustainability whilst achieving Water Neutrality. URS offer a multitude of services relating to water processes including water footprinting, audits of water and effluent treatment works, assessment of process regimes backed up by desk-top studies and calculations, qualitative and quantitative risk analysis and identification and inspection of damaged or poorly functioning plant and structures. At a macro level we provide water saving initiatives that seek to reduce costs, enhance reputations and ensure legal compliance. Through delivering these relevant services URS are able to meet the requirements of a water neutral future.
Desktop Study and Site Investigation
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Lab Analysis and Constituent Identification
Our engineers are able to perform desktop and site-based studies of individual plant and overall strategies, leading to: •• Identification of process, physical, chemical or biological issues contributing to consent failure; •• Identification of industry enhancements to improve the quality of raw wastewater prior to treatment; •• Feedback on the need for remedial works / repairs; •• Comment on the appropriateness of existing operating and maintenance plans; •• Recommendation for process improvements to create a more sustainable operation.
Identification and Comparison of Process Options
Design and Construction Services
Realisation of Savings
Key Services With 55,000 staff worldwide and expertise in almost every facet of engineering and environmental consultancy URS can always provide a holistic service which can be tailored to meet any client’s needs and aspirations.
Within URS’ water management team we can and do provide services including: •• Feasibility, Outline and Detailed Design of clean and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations, reservoirs, dams, distribution networks, sewers and flood alleviation schemes •• Value Engineering, Procurement and Contract Management •• Process, Structural and MEICA inspections and investigation including asset valuations •• Regulatory Compliance, including Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Shellfish Waters Directive assessments •• Primary research and stakeholder engagement •• Water Cycle Studies
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Flood Risk & Strategic Flood Risk Assessments Water Distribution Modelling Surface Water (Rainfall) Modelling Water Demand Studies Sewer Investigations (CCTV) Land and Discharge Permitting Water Reuse/Recycle Systems Biogas / Energy Generation Trenchless Pipe Laying Economic Assessments Asset Valuations Ground Investigations Storm Water Management Plans (SWMP)
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For further information please contact: Jon Robinson Operations Director, Water +44 (0)1256 310200 jon.robinson@urs.com
URS Corporation is a leading provider of engineering, construction and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies worldwide. We offer a full range of program management; planning, design and engineering; systems engineering and technical assistance; information technology; construction and construction management; operations and maintenance; and decommissioning and closure services for federal, oil and gas, infrastructure, power and industrial projects.
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