ANNOUNCEMENTS
Water resource optimization is a critical priority for sustainability in water-intensive industries, particularly in the FMCG sector. This dissertation investigates the water management practices at the Zydus Wellness manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat, with a specific focus on treatment performance, reuse efficiency, and seasonal surplus management. The study was conducted as part of a four-month ESG internship and is based on operational data, site audits, flow diagrams, and stakeholder interviews.
The plant operates both a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)-based Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and a multi-stage Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), with treated water being reused for gardening, flushing, and cooling tower operations. Daily internal testing and monthly external lab validations confirmed consistent compliance with CPCB norms for BOD, COD, and TSS levels. Reuse rates of 60–70% for STP and 45–50% for ETP were observed.
However, the analysis revealed significant gaps in surplus water handling during monsoons, absence of stormwater infrastructure, and lack of metering for destination-specific reuse. Informal overflow management practices, such as temporary pumping, pose risks to operational efficiency and compliance. Recommendations include installation of treated water buffer tanks, implementation of stormwater absorption systems, and digitization of monitoring and reporting processes.
The findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable industrial water use and support ESG-linked goals such as water stewardship, resource efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This study offers actionable insights for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of industrial water systems in the face of seasonal and regulatory pressures.
