Tackling the Thirst: Can the food industry lead the way in water conservation?

Sustainability in the food industry and water management are deeply interconnected, as efficient water use is essential to achieving a sustainable food chain. Often called “the thirsty business,” the food industry consumes between 70% and 90% of global water resources. With the world population projected to exceed nine billion by 2050 and climate change events like El Niño on the rise, the pressure on freshwater resources needed for food production is expected to increase significantly.

Since agriculture and the food processing industry account for 80% of India’s water consumption, with over 700 regions facing severe water over-exploitation in India, sustainable practices and technological innovations are the need of the hour. As climate change, population growth, and socio-economic pressures intensify, effective water management becomes crucial for ensuring both food security and the sustainability of water resources.

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When discussing sustainability in the food industry, the focus often centers on carbon footprints, while the water footprint is frequently overlooked. This is a critical gap, especially as water scarcity intensifies due to shifting climate patterns like El Niño, which heavily impacts food production. As water becomes scarcer, managing its use efficiently is just as important as reducing carbon emissions. By 2050, the global population is projected to surpass nine billion, placing immense pressure on freshwater resources needed to produce food.

The global food and beverage sector is often called “The thirsty business” due to the amount of water that is consumed in its production processes. Currently, agriculture consumes around 70% of all extracted freshwater, while 20% is used by production and processing industries, leaving only 10% for domestic use. This strain on water is expected to intensify due to climate change, population growth, and increasing socio-economic demands.

Presently, about 7% of the global population lives in water-scarce regions, but by 2050, this could soar to 67%, driven by population expansion. To meet future food demands, increased production will require even larger water supplies. Global water withdrawals are forecasted to rise from 4,500 billion cubic meters per year to 6,900 billion cubic meters by 2030, marking a 53% increase in extraction. As such, the challenge of balancing water use across sectors while addressing growing food needs becomes more urgent with each passing year.

Water management in India

Water management in India’s food processing industry is increasingly crucial due to the sector’s reliance on significant water resources. The food processing industry is one of the largest water consumers, especially in areas like cleaning, cooking, cooling, and waste disposal.

In 2023, India’s total annual groundwater recharge was 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), while extraction reached 241.34 BCM. While groundwater conditions have improved slightly in some regions, over 700 out of 6553 assessment units still face severe over-exploitation, further stressing the need for sustainable practices in industries like food processing.

Water plays a crucial role in every stage of food and beverage production, from its initial farming to produce the raw good to the processing, transportation and retail of the final product that we see on the shelves. Most people often focus on the finished product and ignore the hidden amount of water involved in producing food and beverage.

Did you know? – The global average water footprint of beef cattle meat is 15,400 m³ per ton.

Abid Rahman, Director and COO of DJ Sons Consumer Goods Pvt Ltd, expresses deep concerns about the growing water scarcity in India. He highlights the critical role water plays in the manufacturing process, particularly in food processing, and warns that the shortage of fresh water, exacerbated by climate change and erratic rainfall, could force industries to adopt unsustainable practices.

“For example,” Rahman explains, “in Assam, tea plantations were historically reliant on rainwater. However, in recent years, the region has experienced inconsistent and insufficient rainfall, compelling local tea farmers to depend heavily on groundwater and river water.”

He also stresses the importance of addressing wastewater treatment through Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) standards, which could help mitigate the contamination and pollution of natural water bodies.

Source: icheme.org

Here are some of the lesser-known uses of water in food and beverage production:

• Irrigation for crop growth and animal feed is estimated to use between 5938 and 8508 cubic kilometres of water per year, globally.
• Pesticides and fertilizer application on crops
• Machine technology to process raw produce into sellable food and drink products – including costs of operating and cleaning the machinery.
• Food packaging, for example, it takes around 235 litres of water to produce one kilogram of plastic that is used for bottled water.
• Heating and chilling of food to prolong its lifespan

Challenges to water sustainability in India

Sustainable extraction of water and efficient water management in food processing are key necessities to tackle the water scarcity issue in India. Here we discuss a few challenges on both sustainability as well as food processing:

• Over extraction of Groundwater: Excessive pumping and lack of recharge has depleted the groundwater level at an alarming rate which can further lead to land subsidence, saltwater intrusion and reduced base flow of rivers.
• Water pollution: The primary sources of water pollution are untreated sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and solid waste, which contaminate the surface and groundwater sources.
• Uneven distribution: Since India has a high spatial and temporal variability of rainfall, there is an uneven distribution of water resources across regions and seasons.
• Climate change: Climate change alters the hydrological cycle and increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. It can affect the availability and quality of water resources by changing the pattern of precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and groundwater recharge.

Water treatment challenges and solutions in food processing

Wastewater resulting from food production processes is complex due to the diverse range of food products involved. Each sub-sector, from dairy and processed meats to beverages and baked goods, presents its own unique challenges in wastewater treatment.

• Nutrient concentrations: The organic composition of food waste means that wastewater is nutrient-rich. Without proper treatment, this can cause environmental issues like eutrophication, where excessive nutrients promote dense plant growth, depleting oxygen levels and damaging aquatic life.
• Fats, oils and greases (FOG): Commonly referred to as FOG, these components require special attention. If not properly managed, they can accumulate, obstructing water flow and decreasing the efficiency of treatment processes.

After identifying these challenges, it is essential to address them through a combination of advanced technologies, innovative strategies, and ongoing oversight. Here are some cutting-edge innovations and techniques that can help tackle these issues:

• Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs): MBR technology integrates traditional activated sludge treatment with a membrane-based liquid-solid separation process. This dual approach delivers both efficient biological treatment and physical filtration, resulting in high-quality effluent.
• Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): AOPs utilize a blend of oxidants to break down pollutants at the molecular level, providing a solution for the most persistent contaminants.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO employs a semi-permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from wastewater. It is particularly effective for desalinating and demineralizing water, ensuring that the purified water meets stringent quality standards.

Additionally, there are several measures that can help reduce water footprint:

• Implement an Effective Water Management Plan: Begin with a comprehensive water audit to pinpoint opportunities for enhancing water efficiency within the business.
• Cleaning of processing equipment/plants: Cleaning of processing equipment/plants and food products can account for up to 70% of a factory’s water usage. Methods such as dry cleaning, cleaning in place and pigging of piping can help to limit this.
• Adopt Innovative Sustainability Techniques: Integrate methods such as regenerative agriculture, hydroponic farming, and advanced sustainable irrigation practices.
• Promote Water Reuse: Utilize strategies like rainwater harvesting and advanced purification technologies to recycle and reuse water.
• Leverage Smart Technology: Employ water sensors and smart metering systems to monitor, control, and optimize water usage.
• Source Local Food Supplies: Reduce water consumption associated with transportation by prioritizing locally sourced food products.

Several Indian food companies are adopting water management practices as part of their sustainability initiatives, for instance, ITC Ltd. has implemented large-scale watershed management programs since 2002. Through these initiatives, ITC has helped cover over 1.2 million acres in water-stressed regions, particularly focusing on rainwater harvesting and soil conservation. These efforts have enhanced agricultural productivity in various states, benefiting crops like wheat and rice, with yield increases of 20-45%.

Since 2009, Coca-Cola India Foundation, also known as Anandana, has executed projects valued at INR 600 million, benefiting 666,000 people across 500 villages. These initiatives focus on water management, environmental sustainability, and improving quality of life. Through partnerships with reputable NGOs like HARITIKA, SEWA, IRRAD, and FORRAD, Anandana has implemented water conservation and drinking water projects, especially in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Nestlé has committed to achieving water neutrality by 2025. This means the company aims to use only as much water as can be naturally replenished in the regions where it operates. Nestlé is also focused on enhancing water efficiency throughout its factories and supply chains. Additionally, it supports community-based water projects in water-scarce areas, working to ensure sustainable water usage and availability in vulnerable regions.

The Government of India has launched several initiatives to promote water sustainability and reuse. The National Water Mission (NWM) aims to reduce water wastage and ensure equitable distribution through integrated water resources management. The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), with a budget of Rs. 6,000 crore, supports sustainable groundwater management. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on improving water access on farms, expanding irrigated areas, and introducing sustainable water conservation practices. Additionally, Ground Water Management and Regulation efforts are in place to monitor groundwater levels, assess resources, and control extraction.

Given that agriculture and food processing industries in India account for 80% of the country’s water usage, adopting sustainable practices on a larger scale is essential. Continuous advancements in technologies, techniques, and innovations are crucial for enhancing water efficiency. With the anticipated increase in population, evolving socio-economic conditions, and the impacts of climate change, there are significant business opportunities for developing and implementing sustainable solutions. These efforts will be vital in supporting the food industry while addressing the challenges of water scarcity and ensuring the long-term viability of water resources.