Water quality
Most of the water we extract is used for noncontact cooling and is returned directly to the watercourses from which it is taken, with no deterioration in quality.
In fact, our steelmaking operations have optimised their control measures to the point of emitting no discernible discharge to water. To minimise the impact of our process effluents, we have installed a complex range of biological, chemical and physical effluent treatment technologies at our plants, and strive continuously to improve our treatment capabilities.
We are mindful at all times that fresh water is a valuable and finite resource. Relatively large volumes of water are used to make steel, and although most of the water we extract is returned to the same watercourse, the amount of fresh water we consume is difficult to quantify. Our researchers are developing a water footprinting tool, which will ultimately provide a measure of fresh water consumed per tonne of steel product produced. This will allow us to target water saving measures where they are needed most.
Working in conjunction with the UK Environment Agency, our packaging steel production facility at Trostre in Wales has successfully implemented a number of water-saving measures to reduce its weekly consumption by 45% compared to
2003 levels. This equates to approximately 24,000 cubic metres per week – equivalent to six Olympic-size swimming pools.
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