California chemical producers asked to curtail water use

Joe Kamalick

22-May-2015

California chemical producers asked to curtail water useWASHINGTON (ICIS)–California has asked the state’s chemical manufacturers to reduce water consumption because of severe drought conditions, officials said on Friday, but there is no indication that production has been affected.

John Ulrich, executive director of the Chemical Industry Council of California (CICC), said that in-state producers have yet to report any drought-related production cutbacks.

“Not yet, not that I can identify,” he said of possible production impacts among CICC member firms.

“We certainly are interested,” Ulrich said. 

“I’ve learned that while some companies are cutting back on their water usage, in terms of pounds used versus production,” he said, “others have increased production to meet demand and as a consequence have seen a net gain in water usage.”

California Governor Jerry Brown on 1 April issued an executive order mandating a 25% across-the-board reduction in the state’s water consumption, citing drastically reduced reservoir levels in this fourth year of drought conditions.

“We are in a drought emergency and need to take bold action,” said Catherine Sandoval, head of the California Public Utilities Commission.

“While water still flows to most taps today, the hard work to manage scarce water resources masks the dwindling supply in rivers, reservoirs and underground storage basins,” she said.

The state’s Water Resources Control Board has ordered a wide range of conservation efforts that apply to households and businesses. For example, homeowners are barred from using potable water to maintain gardens and lawns, and restaurants are not to provide water to customers unless requested.

The board may issue fines of up to $500 per day for failure to comply, and water districts that provide water to consumers and industry may be subject to cease-and-desist orders if they fail to demonstrate use reductions.

The board also has mandated that commercial, industrial and institutional operators must reduce their water consumption by 25%. “No reporting is required, but these properties must maintain documentation of their water uses and practices,” the board noted.

Ulrich said CICC member companies have indicated that “they are working with their local water districts, and they are well advised to take steps in that regard”.

“Everyone I’ve talked to has said that they are cooperating and working to minimise water use,” he said. “This is a collaboration of interests, and we’re working to get it done.”

CICC represents some 50 chemical sector companies with more than 100 facilities, including 43 production sites, more than 60 service and distribution centres and a handful of research laboratories.

Paul Hodges studies key influences shaping the chemical industry in Chemicals and the Economy

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