Efficient water use and wastewater recycling in F&B industries of India (based on research study for GE water)
Student name: Ms Prapti Verma
Guide: Ms Fawzia Tarannum
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: GE Water & Process Technologies, India
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Himanshu Gupta
Abstract: Growing water scarcity in India has affected all sectors and food & beverage manufacturing
industries are one of them. Water is an irreplaceable resource in these industries and they are also
burdened by strict water quality standards and stringent wastewater discharge norms. In times like
these efficient water consumption, which aims at reduction of water footprint, is necessary. Recycling
of treated wastewater is one such solution which is economically beneficial and sustainable for
making industries future-proof. This research draws attention towards these problems and the scope
of wastewater recycling in food and beverage industries of India. It is highlighted that such steps can
be taken with the use of advanced water treatment technologies that have been developed over the
recent years and are more reliable than conventional schemes in the tertiary sector. Membrane
bioreactor is one such technology that has the capacity to reduce footprint and treat wastewater up
to freshwater standards, which can be reused as make up water. The food and beverages sector
cannot reuse wastewater in production process due quality standards and social stigma even though
the treated water is actually perfectly clean and fit for use. This brings me towards the conclusion of
my research where the challenges and barriers of wastewater recycling are elucidated in detail.
Towards the end some suggestions for policy interventions in this sphere have been mentioned.
Key Words: F&B, Wastewater, Reuse, Recycle, MBR
