NRE 701 Master’s Project Prospectus:Toward Sustainable Water Use in ManufacturingPotential Team Members:Mike Horn mikehornSara Nosanchuk snosanchAlexis Olans lexolansLindsay Smith lismithMatt Stout mgstoutKari Walworth kwalwortPotential Clients:- The University of Michigan Environmental Technology Council (ETC)- The Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable (SWRR) (a working group created under the Federal Advisory Committee on Water Information)- Council of Great Lakes Industries (CGLI) (a non-profit organization representing the common interests of U.S. and Canadian industrial organizations that have investments in the Great Lakes Basin)- A corporate client (or clients) who would be identified through the project team’s involvement with the SWRR and/or CGLIPotential Advisors: Greg Keoleian (SNRE), Peter Adriaens (College of Engineering/SNRE), Brian Talbot (Business School/SNRE)Purpose of the StudyThe World Bank projected that, over the next century, the quantity of available water must increase by 25–60% to meet global needs (depending on how efficiently the water is used) (Source: World Bank). Furthermore, between 20 and 30% of the world’s freshwater use is devoted to industry, and industry is responsible for polluting many of the world’s freshwater systems (Source: World Health Organization). On the positive side, industry is a regular contributor toward and user of new water infrastructure technologies, which improve industrial water efficiency and conservation. As water-related efficiency and conservation improves, the burden on the world’s freshwater supplies is reduced. It is evident that industry plays an active role in the changing quantity and quality of available freshwater supplies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current status of challenging issues related to sustainable water use in industry, develop a program of recommended actions and indicators to promote sustainable water use in industry, and work with an industrial sector toimplement a program of sustainable water use on a practical level. Statement of the Problem:Moving towards environmental sustainability in a manufacturing context presents a major paradigm shift in the way corporations handle natural resources and produce goods and services. In the face of this shift, as well as in responding to societal demands and legal requirements, industry faces specific challenges with respect to manufacturing water use and wastewater discharges. There is great potential to reduce overall water use and recover useable water from industrial wastewater discharges, driving towards the ultimate goal of closed-loop, zero water discharge manufacturing facilities. Reducing water usage and eliminating water discharges typically provides the benefits of improving industrial efficiency and resource conservation while reducingNRE 701 Master’s Project Prospectus:Toward Sustainable Water Use in Manufacturingmanufacturing costs. In spite of these benefits, practical implementation of techniques to reduce manufacturing water consumption and recycle industrial wastewater discharges is limited in the United States. Some possible reasons for this include a limited technological competency base, a lack of regulatory incentives or drivers, and the absence of a systems-based approach to water management. The challenges of sustainable industrial water use are particularly important here in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Basin is naturally endowed with 20% of the world's fresh water resources, a productive labor force, highly-ranked educational institutions, and an integrated manufacturing supply network. Business, government, non-profit organizations, and citizens are all recognizing that the protection and responsible use of the Great Lakes freshwater resources and a healthy and competitive regional economy are dependent on each other. This project will attempt to first identify the specific technological, economic, and regulatory challenges that industries in the Great Lakes basin face with respect to reducing overall water use (current state). A desired future state will also be identified, encompassing both short- and long-term goals and likely outcomes from implementing a comprehensive program of sustainable industrial water use and management in the Great Lakes basin. Using the current and desired future state scenarios, a gap analysis will be performed, resulting in specific objectives, targeted actions, and progress indicators can be developed to guide industries and policy makers towards more sustainable use of water resources. The gap analysis will then be applied to a specific industry sector(s) or industrial client(s) to illustrate the practical implementation of a program of sustainable water resource use in the region.Research QuestionsQuestions to be addressed by the study may include the following:- Translate the aggregate potential benefits (economic and otherwise) of a comprehensive program to reduce overall industrial water use in the Great Lakes basin (what impacts will a 5%, 10%, 15% etc. reduction have?) i.e., what is the motivation for embarking on a project like this? How will the region benefit, both economically and from a resource conservation standpoint?- Benchmarking – which industry sector, company, or facility is “best in class” with respect to water use? Who is furthest in implementing technologies that lead to zero water emissions? What are the reasons or drivers behind these (apparently) successful programs to reduce water use? - What barriers prevent companies from being more proactive with respect to reducing manufacturing water use? What can be done to overcome these barriers?- What policy or financial incentives (or disincentives) exist for companies who embrace a more sustainable path with respect to water use?- For a specific client or industry sector, what are costs of implementation, projected water savings, and projected cost savings or avoidance of moving towards “zero discharge”?- What innovative policy instruments or management practices can be used to change the wayindustry thinks about water, thereby reducing overall manufacturing water use?- What are the appropriate indicators to monitor progress towards sustainable use of water resources?Research ProceduresIt is anticipated that the project research procedures will involve a combination of the following:- Initial literature review (library, on-line sources)NRE 701 Master’s
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