Applied Water Science (Jun 2024)
Water strategies and management: current paths to sustainable water use
Abstract
Abstract Freshwater is unquestionably the most crucial resource essential for the sustenance and advancement of humankind. This invaluable entity surpasses all societal, economic, and environmental domains, consequently rendering it a ubiquitous good. Globally, it has been estimated that the industrial sector employs approximately 20% of the available freshwater. The principal aim within the industrial domain is to maximize production efficiency, rather than prioritizing the enhancement of water conservation and efficiency. Research suggests that a favorable association exists between the monetary investments made in technological improvements for industrial water treatment and reuse and a profitable return on investment that is sustained over a prolonged duration. This could plausibly explain the dearth of willingness exhibited by some corporations in dedicating resources to this vital issue. The objective of this study is to explicate the notion of sustainability concerning water management that can be operationalized in the context of Pakistan, while delving into the latest advancements in the sphere of sustainable management practices. This research endeavor shall serve as an instructive source for executives, entrepreneurs, and vested parties in various industrial domains to propel their endeavors toward sustainable practices while simultaneously achieving optimization and surpassing the benchmarks set by national regulations and international establishments. This investigation has illuminated the imperative of executing an all-encompassing water management strategy that incorporates the ecological, financial, and societal dimensions as the essential constituents of viability in industrial water utilization. This work ought to possess a worldwide scope, bearing in mind the ubiquitous character of industrial practices in the epoch of globalization.
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