A useful 3R plan starts with the water that production really needs. Reduce avoidable demand, reuse suitable streams directly, then recycle water that needs treatment. The order matters: a smaller demand can mean a smaller recovery plant and a more manageable reject stream.
Draw the boundary before calculating
Map freshwater, rainwater, production, utilities, ETP/STP, reuse users and final discharge. Mark meters and distinguish measured, estimated and missing flows. Compare the same production period and account for tank storage changes.
Use both m³/day and a production indicator such as L/kg fabric. Keep product mix and operating days visible. A lower total intake during low production does not by itself demonstrate improved efficiency.
Build the options in three steps
Reduce: fix leaks and overflows, control hose use and rinse endpoints, and review cooling and boiler losses. Test changes against product quality and safe operation.
Reuse: match a source with an accepting user, considering temperature, color, salts, organics and microbiological exposure. Recycle: select treatment from the required end-use quality, including residuals, energy, chemicals and maintenance. An ETP discharge result alone does not approve reuse.
Try a balanced example
Illustrative daily balance: baseline demand 1,000 m³; demand reduction 100; direct reuse 120; net recycled return 180; freshwater makeup 600. With process loss 60 and final discharge 540, the external balance closes: 600 = 60 + 540. Freshwater reduction is 40%.
These are net boundary flows. Gross RO feed and reject recirculation need a separate hydraulic balance before equipment sizing. Record reject destination, off-spec diversion and permissions before selecting a project. Start with one verified saving and follow it for a full operating cycle.
Practice downloads
Use the bilingual PDF worksheets in print or alongside the editable Excel files. Examples are for learning; adapt the records to the approved procedures and requirements at your site.
- 3R water planning and permissions worksheet (PDF · English / বাংলা)
- Textile 3R Water Planner — Excel (.xlsx)
Reference documents
- IFC General EHS Guidelines (PDF)
- IFC Textile Manufacturing EHS Guidelines (PDF)
- Bangladesh Water Act 2013 — official law
- ISO 20426 — non-potable reuse health risks
ISO catalogue pages identify the standards; access full texts through their publishers. Government and freely available guidance PDFs are linked directly above.
Continue learning
Bangladesh Water Act, Water Rules and WARPO · Water Reuse: Quality and Risk Management · Environmental Aspects and Impacts in Treatment Plants
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