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Ecolab Nalco Water Plant in Garyville, Louisiana
Certified as Water Stewardship Leader
Published February 2019 | Updated October 2024
Insights
As a global leader in water solutions and services, Ecolab remains dedicated to creating a more water secure future through smart water management, conservation and stewardship. By 2030 we plan to continue to achieve a Net Positive Water Impact through:
- Reducing, recycling and replenishing water at operational sites. We are targeting to reduce water impact by 40% per unit production across our enterprise from a 2018 base year.
- Protecting local watersheds by working to restore greater than 50% of our absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.
- Delivering outcomes through the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by achieving AWS certification for Ecolab manufacturing sites located in high-risk watersheds.
Ecolab’s manufacturing facility located in Garyville, Louisiana is a key contributor to these goals. The Garyville facility is a reaction plant that primarily produces water treatment chemical blends and polymers. Ecolab’s Garyville facility is located in the Mississippi River Basin which is part of the largest watershed in the United States, the Mississippi River Watershed. Process water is pulled directly from the Mississippi River and treated on site. To source potable water, the site relies on water from St John’s Parrish which sources water from the Lions Water Treatment plant. This treatment plant also sources its water from the Mississippi River.
The Garyville facility was identified as a priority location to pursue AWS certification, enhance the site’s smart water management approach and implement innovative technologies to advance enterprise water goals.
Actions
To contribute to Ecolab’s enterprise water goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030.
The following projects help improve the facility’s water balance and have been implemented to reduce overall water use:
- Reuse of multiple sand filter backwash systems to reduce the plant’s intake of river water
- Reduction of washouts from enhanced campaigning in the latex area to reduce water use
- Standardization of washout times for railcars and reaction vessels resulting in a reduction of overall water use
- Recovery of spent caustic from deionized water unit regenerations
- Restroom upgrades, including waterless urinals to reduce potable water use
- Cooling tower replacement
- Pump seal flush replacements and pump seal pot installation
Outcomes
The improvements made at the site have proved to be a helpful step forward for enhancing the site’s operations and advancing Ecolab’s sustainability goals.
With the aim to improve overall health of local watersheds, and as part of Ecolab’s efforts to create 2030 Positive Impact, we have prioritized AWS certification in high-risk watersheds in which we operate.
Good Water
Governance
✓
Sustainable Water Balance
✓
Good Water
Quality Status
✓
Important Water-Related Areas
✓
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash)
✓
Water Stewardship Journey
Ecolab is committed to sustainable water use in our facilities and collaboration with other businesses at the local level. In alignment with Ecolab’s commitment to a holistic approach to water management across its manufacturing facilities, the company achieved the Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Garyville facility in 2018. The facility has continued to stay up to date on AWS requirements to uphold the core certification.
To identify shared water challenges in the Mississippi River Basin, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab’s Smart Water Navigator, and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas to identify shared and site-level water challenges. Implementation of water withdrawal reduction projects were prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Ecolab’s water stewardship approach aims to make a positive impact within our operations and on the water challenges within the communities we operate in. For the Garyville facility and local stakeholders, the top water-related challenges include flooding due to the site’s proximity to Lake Pontchartrain, which is impacted by storm surge and rain fall. Natural disasters pose risks including hurricanes due to proximity to the Gulf Coast and the increasing impact of storm surge damage from rising sea levels. There is also a risk of freezing weather that can impact water-related infrastructure. Water pollution is a challenge due to heavy metal polluters, pesticides entering lakes and streams after heavy rain and improper disposal or containment of materials. Subsidence issues are a challenge due to removal of water, oil, natural gas or mineral resources from the ground. Loss of wetlands and wetland species is a concern due to land development and pollution. Lastly, Water Infrastructure issues were also identified as this further exacerbates the other water-related challenges.
To effectively address these challenges, a strong water stewardship approach strives for continuous improvement in sustainable site water balance and water quality. Our holistic approach includes a focus on important water related areas and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and our continued progress in these critical areas depends on our strong water governance.
Using the Ecolab Smart Water Navigator to quantify the progress made against the five AWS outcomes, the Garyville facility is considered Water-Smart on the Water Maturity Curve. The Water Maturity Curve illustrates the quantified state of a site’s water strategy and management plan. A facility’s place on the curve is determined by a set of criteria that includes governance and strategy, target setting, water management practices and water stewardship. The criteria incorporates principles consistent with the five outcomes of the AWS framework, both emphasizing that strong water management includes continuous improvement and collaboration inside and outside the facility’s operations.
Sustainable Water Balance
Net Positive Water
A sustainable water balance and smart water management approach within our own operations is a critical component in achieving a localized net positive water impact. Aligned with the enterprise goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce the site’s annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The team at Ecolab’s Garyville facility assessed the facility for opportunities to decrease water use across operations to meet Ecolab’s targets to create 2030 Positive Impact. Implementation of water reduction projects are prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Water Quality
Water Quality Approach
To maintain good water quality of both process water and wastewater, internal daily water testing is carried out in addition to weekly third-party wastewater testing to comply with Garyville's wastewater permit. The plant has a strict testing regimen and detailed environmental spill emergency response plan which were further strengthened through AWS Standard implementation. Because the water is directly discharged to the Mississippi River, efforts in achieving good water quality status help contribute to the health of the most Important Water Related Area (IWRA) in the Garyville facility's catchment.
Water Governance
Water Governance Approach
At the plant level, the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) department, including but not limited to the SHE manager and SHE specialist roles, is ultimately responsible for utility efficiency programs and compliance with governing environmental regulations. The corporate environmental lead is available to consult on regulatory updates and wastewater compliance. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request, including necessary corrective action taken by the site to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, Ecolab's CDP Water Security report discloses any violations and associated corrective actions.
The corporate sustainability team is guided and advised by the Sustainability Executive Advisory Team (SEAT), which is made up of the company’s most senior business and divisional leaders. In addition, Ecolab’s Sustainability, Water Stewardship and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) positions are publicly available and serve as commitments to and guidance on water-related issues and compliance. Ecolab’s Sustainability Position formalizes Ecolab’s global commitment to sustainability within the company and its impact on customers. Ecolab’s Water Stewardship Position reinforces Ecolab’s global commitment to responsible water stewardship by identifying opportunities for the company and its customers to use water resources in a manner that benefits business, communities and nature. Ecolab’s SHE Position outlines the company’s commitment to excellence in safety, health and environmental practices and performance across global operations.
Important Water Related Areas
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Collective Action
In addition to internal operational improvements, Ecolab’s Garyville facility’s external water stewardship activities are ongoing. Shared challenges between the plant and relevant, local stakeholders include flooding, natural disasters, water pollution, subsidence issues, loss of wetlands and wetland species and water infrastructure issues. To address these shared issues, Ecolab collaborates with other water users in the basin.
Ecolab participates bimonthly in the Community Action Panel (CAP), a group created by Nalco Water and Marathon in 1996 to engage local stakeholders, including local business and community members, on water-related issues. Ecolab continually shares its AWS journey with CAP and seeks feedback on practices in the five outcome areas of the AWS Standard.
The Ecolab Foundation supports the Loch Leven Flood plain reconnection project in Wilkinson Mississippi. This project in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to restore and enhance 10,000 wetland acres and provide 12.1 billion gallons of flood storage capacity to local communities.
Ecolab was a participating company in the Louisiana Water Synergy Project (LWSP). Founded 2012 by the US Business Council for Sustainable Development (USBCSD), the LWSP worked with over 20 companies in the Lower Mississippi River Basin to address a wide range of water supply, water quality, stormwater and coastal resiliency issues.
On top of local water stewardship efforts, Ecolab’s global giving program, Solutions for Life, enhances the company’s mission to conserve and protect fresh water through partnership and additional projects with TNC and the Project WET Foundation.