Here at IX Water we talk a lot about industrial wastewater, but want to take a second and look at what Industrial wastewater is in the first place.
What is it?
Industrial wastewater is any water that moves through, cools, washes, or otherwise contacts an industrial process and emerges carrying the physical, chemical, or biological “fingerprints” of that process. Because those discharge streams can contain pollutants at levels high enough to harm rivers, groundwater, or even overwhelm public treatment plants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) flags them for special control (US EPA).
Where does it come from?
From pulp-and-paper mills and food processors to semiconductor fabs, oil-and-gas fields, power stations, and textile dye houses—virtually every sector that makes, refines, or generates something uses water. Globally, industry accounts for about 19 percent of all freshwater withdrawals, a share that climbs above 40 percent in many high-income nations (FAOHome). When that water leaves the plant it may carry heavy metals, salts, acids, solvents, PFAS, micro-plastics, heat (yes heat can be just as damaging to an environment the water is discharged into!), and more.
Why is it regulated?
In the United States, facilities that discharge industrial wastewater directly to rivers or indirectly through a sewer must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. NPDES permits translate the Clean Water Act’s general requirements into technology-based effluent limits and monitoring rules tailored to each site (US EPA). More than 50 industry-specific “Effluent Guidelines” further define what “clean enough” means. Similar—and steadily tightening—rules exist worldwide as governments push for water reuse and zero-liquid-discharge goals.
How IX Water fits in
IX Water’s modular treatment train, derived from Los Alamos National Laboratory technology, removes up to 99.8 percent of contaminants while cutting treatment or disposal costs by 50 percent or more. Each reactor’s media can be recharged in place, slashing chemical purchases, trucking, downtime, and of course cost as well (IX Power Clean Water).
Industrial wastewater is both a liability and an untapped resource. Treat it well and yesterday’s waste becomes tomorrow’s process water, irrigation supply, or even drinking-water feedstock. Treat it poorly and it threatens ecosystems, communities, and the bottom line. At IX Water, we’re betting on the first option—and building the tools to make it happen.
IX Water is a crowdfunded company. Interested in joining our mission? startengine.com/ix-water
This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – “Industrial Wastewater” overview page (US EPA)
- FAO AQUASTAT – “Water Use: Methodology” statistics (19 % industrial share of withdrawals) (FAOHome)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – “NPDES Permit Basics” (US EPA)
- IX Water – (IX Power Clean Water)