Page 12 - Food&Drink magazine July 2021

COVER STORY
Adapting to climate variability
Since the world in general, and Australia in particular, is experiencing increasing climate variability, water shortages are inevitable. While we can’t prevent this, the good news is that companies are taking steps to mitigate the impacts on their business. Hydroflux director Andrew Miley talks about what manufacturers can do .
IT is becoming essential for everyone, companies in particular, to be prepared and adapt to a world where water scarcity is the new normal.
One way businesses can improve their climate resilience and weather the coming storm is by implementing proven and effective advanced water treatment programs.
Current advanced water treatment technologies are capable of recycling industrial wastewater to a potable grade, however, it is more than just the technology that enables overall compliance and acceptance for reuse.
WATER RISK GUIDELINES
The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1) (2006) (AGWR) introduced the preventive risk management approach and included health-based targets which are robust and scientifically defensible.
This guidance was based on the Framework described in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004) (ADWG), which focused on the management and monitoring of risk from source to end use in a structured and systematic manner that assures water safety and reliability, and that
the water is suitable for the intended uses.
In a comparable manner to the risk management systems widely used throughout the food industry via application of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, the AGWR Framework provides a structured risk-based approach to recycled water management.
It has 12 elements broken down into 36 components and
85 actions, which when followed precisely, will ensure the consistent and safe supply of recycled water.
PROVEN POTABILITY
The technology and equipment required to convert food and beverage wastewater into potable water is available, and more importantly it is proven.
There are many Australian references in the food and beverage sector, some of which have been operational for well over a decade.
Once functioning, Advanced Water Treatment Plants (AWTPs) simply blend into the overall factory operations and their HACCP systems and become no more of a burden, or risk than any other process that is required to produce product for market.
The technology used in an AWTP is not too dissimilar to those many food and beverage facilities are familiar with.
The first stages of advanced water treatment incorporate conventional primary and secondary biological processes that many food and beverage facilities employ.
12 | Food&Drink business | July 2021 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au