Evaluation of water use in food SMEs: case study of a poultry processing plant in Colombia

Abstract

Water resources and the food sector in developing countries are key elements in ensuring the goals of sustainable development. The challenge is even greater, considering that the 90% of companies in these countries are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To evaluate water management in food SMEs in Colombia, a case study was conducted in a poultry processing plant. Operation was determined by technical visits, measurements and water balances and the performance was evaluated by a sensitivity analysis. Total water consumption was 206,2m3ꞏd-1 finding performances between 10,9 and 28,8 L.chicken-1. The areas of plucking and evisceration were responsible for 62% and cleaning for 19% of water use. Daily, a volume of 32,4m3 water was used as a means of transport. It was found that water consumption exceeds the recommended values of the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme. Proposals for improvement in situ focused on prevention and minimization were suggested.

Keywords

• water consumption
• SMEs
• poultry slaughter
• sensitivity analysis
• cleaner production