How much water does your jeans require?
Have you ever wondered how much water is required to make a pair of your favourite Denim Jeans? 500 gallons of water is used in the production of one pair of jeans, out of a daily expenditure of 425,000,000 gallons of water, by the textile industry on a daily basis in India alone.
Water baths is an important step in manufacturing and producing clothing. The water gets mixed with dye and other chemicals, making it unsuitable for reuse. The contaminated water further causes water pollution by flowing into water ways. Contaminated water poses a great health threat and can cause cancer, asthma, burns, etc.
The textile industry in India is the oldest industry and accounts for almost 2% of GDP, 15% of the industrial production and 12% of the total manufacturing export earnings. But the regulations in place aren’t as stringent resulting in unfair usage of water in the industry.
The best way to control this is with the help of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). ETPs clean contaminated water making it reusable for other purposes. There are several benefits to the usage of ETPs including controlling water contamination and pollution, treating harmful chemicals in water ways and making it reusable for non-potable use, reduces health risks, encourages water sustainability, and helps industries function better by complying with government regulations set for water usage by industries such as textile.
In recent times, Zero Liquid Discharge has been made compulsory and all textile clusters must comply with it. The ZLD regulation will help curb the consumption and contamination of water by several industries. Regulations such as this, will help build a sustainable future and reverse the actions that have led to scarcity of water. The adaption of Effluent Treatment Plants within industrial systems will give way to the maintenance and compliance with ZLD regulation.
The Environment Pollution act of India, 1986 sets rules and regulations for industries regarding effluent water and has certain compliance standards in place. It insists industries to not dispose off effluent water and encourages reduction in water consumption.
The rules set by the CPCB are available for read in the following document:
https://rb.gy/apnffw
Water scarcity is real and has to be controlled to build a sustainable future. Reuse and recycling of water is now a necessity.
Sources :
https://rb.gy/apn
https://rb.gy/l9gdjoffw
https://rb.gy/nvfzv2
