PepsiCo's Mahul plant reduces water usage

Mumbai, Nov 9: Soft drink major PepsiCo's Mahul plant here has accomplished a significant reduction in water usage over the past two years.

Talking to reporters on his visit to the plant today, PepsiCo Executive Director Pradeep Sardana said the plant had accomplished the reduction by adopting a multi-pronged approach comprising focused reduction of usage, installation of water recovery equipment and improved water management practices.

Some of the methods adopted by the plant, which is fast on its way to achieve the 'zero leakage' mission, included condensate recovery of boiler feed water, CIP (clean in place) rinse water recovery and appropriate reuse of tertiary treated water.

Talking about the water conservation initiatives taken by PepsiCo, the company's Executive Director (Exports&External Affairs) Abhiram Seth said, ''In the year 2006 itself, my company achieved a water saving amount of 10 lakh tons.'' Interestingly, waste water is also treated and used in various processes in a number of PepsiCo plants and has seen a reduction of 46 per cent this year as compared to the previous year. Even rain water and roof water harvesting were used to strengthen and maintain water reserves in the surrounding areas, he said.

UNI