Water Intensity Reduction

In 2013, McEntire Produce set a goal to hit a 20% reduction in water intensity by 2020. At the end of 2019, a 33.84% average reduction in water intensity had been achieved.   Over 174 million gallons of water have been conserved since the start of this project.  An estimated savings of over $3.2 million based on 2019 water and treatment costs.

A reduction in water consumption can be attributed to the McEntire Produce team’s dedication to water conservation and increased efforts through:

• Continuously monitoring water usage and data collection. Water usage is continuously reviewed and discussed in regularly scheduled project meetings.  Any unusual water usage identified is investigated until the issue can be determined and resolved.  A single leak can lead tens or even hundreds of thousands of gallons of unintentional water loss given a long enough time frame unnoticed. With monitoring and data collection we mitigate the long-term impact of water usage issues.
• Greater degrees of control over the main water system.  Multiple, high quality measurements systems are in place allowing for a greater control in fine tuning and control over the main water system.  In the past, large quantities of water would be evacuated from the central system to ensure safety.  Since making changes to the measurement system, an evacuation of water has not been necessary.
• Continual training on water conservation.  A Water Conservation skill block (training course & validation of practice on the processing floor) must be taken, passed and validated for all line leads and supervisors.  This skill block covers all facility actions for water conservation.

Training personnel in water conservation has increased the number employees identifying and reporting potential water issues.

Our Water Conservation Effect on the Environment

Using less water and recycled water for production reduces the demand for municipal or well water to be pumped into the facility therefore reducing the amount of energy and chemicals used

• Less energy use reduces carbon emissions, which contribute to greenhouse gases, and leads to climate change.
• Less chemicals used in the treatment of water and wastewater also reduces energy use and reduces pollution.