Operating a facility is no small task, and for many plant managers, it may seem like there is always something that needs to be improved or for better operations. Technologies are constantly changing, and sometimes it is hard to cut through the noise. It can be easy to stay with “the way we’ve always done things” and stick with good enough. It's easy and it doesn't require changing culture, process or technologies.
However, when it comes to wastewater treatment, it can be risky to settle for good enough. Good enough in your wastewater treatment could mean risking non-compliance, hauling accidents, high energy costs and utility surcharges, bad public relations, and more. For example, maybe you have an onsite anaerobic digester and it's been operating just fine for the last five years. However, with increases in production at your facility, the treatment system has been challenged to keep up, meaning you have to rely on trucking or exceeding your permit limits.
We know retrofitting an existing, conventionally-built wastewater treatment facility is expensive, and building a brand new facility even more so. Furthermore, trying a new wastewater treatment system can feel daunting. No one wants to be the first to try something new when it comes to wastewater.
We get it. But, sometimes good enough just isn't enough, and sometimes the benefits of being the first to make a change are more than worth the risk. The following is a more in-depth look into why no action can bring more risks than rewards and how you can make a positive, sustainable change with wastewater treatment that can actually cut your expenditures.
Yes, changing how a facility treats its wastewater could save money on wastewater management. We’ve talked to companies that are spending $2M per year in hauling and surcharges. Not all improvements are costly improvements. The best way to see whether or not your plant is leaving money on the table in the arena of wastewater treatment is to understand where you are spending money and where you could improve.
Some of the most common places companies are leaving money on the table include:
Leading companies are considering both the financial and environmental impact of investments, recognizing that long term business sustainability is dependent on public perception, as well as mitigating risks associated with a changing climate. They consider how their actions ripple through the community -- both their local community and the global community at large.
A recent poll of 2,000 C-suite executives across 21 countries found that one-fifth of the businesses they represented were taking decisive steps on sustainability. While those same executives admitted that they were struggling with meaningful transformations, the desire to make those steps existed.
Updating to a more effective wastewater management system is one unexpected way to improve sustainable operations which benefits the bottom line, the community, and the environment.
Companies that are leading in water stewardship are looking at addressing multiple dimensions of water quantity, water quality, and access.
Finally, building for sustainability also has the private benefit of building for resilience. The more sustainable a company is, the better it will be able to react to future problems like water scarcity.
We talked about how you might be losing money by not updating to a more improved system, but there are many types of risk inherent in “good enough” when it comes to an outdated or undersized treatment system. Other major risks include:
Today, businesses need to proactively drive more meaningful and sustainable changes. Changes like building a more impactful onsite wastewater management system that will save money, minimize environmental impacts, and reduce risks across the spectrum.
That's exactly where our team at Aquacycl is equipped to help. Contact our team today to learn about how our on-site treatment solutions can radically transform how your facility treats water.