Towards Sustainable Water Management in Manufacturing - A Review of Various Facets of Water Efficiency and Effectiveness

Sustainable water management is critical for the manufacturing sector due to the substantial volumes of water required for various manufacturing processes such as cooling, cleaning and production. This high demand places a strain on water resources, especially in water scarce regions. In addition, effective water treatment is crucial due to the significant opportunities for water recovery, which can help address the high demand for water in manufacturing. Thus, as water scarcity intensifies and regulatory pressures increase, optimizing water usage and treatment are the two focal areas for both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in manufacturing. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art technologies for managing water usage and treatment, focusing on real-time monitoring and analytics to optimize consumption and enhance recycling rates. The study examines the limitations and gaps identified in the existing literature, thereby equipping industrial decision-makers with a holistic understanding of diverse water management strategies.