Industrial water treatment starts with sustainable water management

Water management is an important element to consider in projects involving construction, both for industrial sites and urban environments. Climate change is leading to more frequent extreme weather events, which puts increased pressure on water management infrastructure. If these systems are not properly designed, overflows may occur, potentially releasing contaminants into the environment. Here are some key elements to keep in mind when designing a project:

1. Surface Permeability and Runoff

Most constructed surfaces reduce the soil’s permeability and its ability to absorb water. Water that cannot be managed on-site must be directed to an outlet. For large-scale projects, the volumes of water that need to be managed can become significant.

2. Surface Water Contamination

Rainwater can easily become contaminated once it comes into contact with surfaces. For example, water on a construction site may pick up suspended solids, or water on industrial sites may come into contact with leachable materials. These waters cannot be discharged directly into the environment.

3. Water Segregation

It is important to manage separately uncontaminated and contaminated surface water. Proper segregation must be planned to avoid dilution of contaminated water (which is not permitted), and to help reduce the size and cost of water management infrastructure and treatment, if needed.

4. Volume Quantification

To implement appropriate water management infrastructure (such as retention basins, ditches, or treatment systems), it is essential to quantify the volumes to be managed. Water balance calculations help define expected volumes for various weather scenarios, using rainfall data specific to each site.

In summary, it is crucial to develop a water management plan from the early stages of a project to ensure efficient, sustainable planning that is adapted to today’s environmental realities. For existing projects, regularly updating water balance calculations is also essential, especially due to the impacts of climate change, which increases the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events.

Have you ever encountered a water management issue on one of your projects? Call us!

Pascale Mazerolle, P. Eng. M. Eng. – Interim Team Leader, Water treatment