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Ecolab’s Santiago, Chile, Plant
Certifying as Water Stewardship Leader
Published December 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 Lampa district of Santiago, Chile, is a key contributor to these goals. Ecolab’s Santiago facility primarily utilizes water sourced directly from the from the Maipo-Mapocho aquifer, an essential part of the Maipo River basin. Ecolab holds rights for groundwater extraction and operates its own system to draw water from a well located on the property. The Santiago facility has an on-site wastewater treatment plant dedicated to treating domestic effluents using a sequential batch reactor (SBR) with activated sludge to reduce organic matter. The treated, clarified water is disinfected through chlorination and dichlorination, to meet regulatory standards. This treated water is then recovered in the fire protection system for reuse. Industrial liquid waste is managed externally by Bravo Energy, this provider handles and treats these specific residuals.
The Santiago 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:
- Optimization of the industrial reverse osmosis pretreatment system.
- Enhancements were made to water usage monitoring, leading to the identification and completion of a leak repair project.
- Improved batched production planning led to a reduction of mixer washes.
Outcomes
The improvements made at the Santiago site have proved to be an impactful 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 is pursuing the Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Santiago, Chile, manufacturing site.
To identify shared water challenges in the Maipo River basin, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab’s Smart Water Navigator, and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas. 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 Santiago facility and local stakeholders the top water related challenges include: Water stress and scarcity in aquifers, water quality (including contamination of aquifers), areas without access to sanitation infrastructure, damage to protected ecological areas in the basin and flooding.
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 Santiago 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 enterprise-wide 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 Santiago facility assessed the site 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 high water quality at the Santiago site, reverse osmosis water quality is monitored continuously with sensors measuring essential parameters. For the site’s potable water, the site requires daily testing of free residual chlorine at key distribution points. Additionally, an annual physical-chemical and bacteriological analysis of the water source is conducted by an authorized laboratory.
Prior to draining storm water and discharging wastewater, facilities must visually inspect and test the effluent to confirm that it meets the local environmental requirements, permit limits or company standards. If there are no local environmental requirement or permit limit, company standards must be met for stormwater discharge into an adjacent water way or wastewater effluent into a city sewer system. If a spill or water-related issue were to occur the site has a robust incident response plan that includes a root cause analysis of the original incident, documentation in an internal reporting platform and communication of mitigation strategies. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request.
Water Governance
Water Governance Approach
At the plant level, the Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) department is responsible for wastewater compliance, with the SHE leader ultimately responsible and plant manager accountable. The corporate environmental lead is available to consult on regulatory updates and wastewater compliance. Additionally, the SHE Leader is responsible for water monitoring requirements per Ecolab's internal global supply chain environmental policy and any applicable external 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.
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 Santiago facility’s external water stewardship activities are ongoing. Shared challenges between the plant and relevant, local stakeholders include water stress and scarcity in aquifers, water quality (including contamination of aquifers), areas without access to sanitation infrastructure, damage to protected ecological areas in the basin and flooding. To address these shared issues, Ecolab collaborates with other water users in the basin.
In 2024, Ecolab partnered with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to implement a water use reduction project in the Maipo Basin. This multi-year project will help facilitate the conversion of irrigation systems on agricultural land from standard irrigation to drip or pivot irrigation. The project helps preserve the limited water supply for urban and agricultural use in the basin. Efficient water use is critical for helping maintain the balance of the local ecosystem and helps ensure that water remains available for other essential uses, including drinking and sanitation.
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.
This case study was created to comply with AWS indicators 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.3.1. 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3. For more information, please contact sustainability@ecolab.com.