Water Use Research Articles (Page 1)

Division of Economic Affairs and Natural Resources, Regional Secretariat of Salatiga City has implemented a digital transformation in the reporting system for energy and water consumption by regional apparatus (OPD) through the use of Google Forms. This initiative aims to support efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable work practices. This study employed a participatory observation method by directly observing the process of filling out digital forms by regional apparatus organizations. The results indicate that Google Forms provide convenience in the creation, management, and acceleration of the reporting process. Real-time data collection facilitates monitoring and decision-making, while cross-device accessibility enables independent reporting from each location. Nevertheless, the implementation of this system still encounters challenges, such as limited form design, dependence on a stable internet connection, and other technical obstacles. Overall, the use of Google Forms is considered to deliver significant benefits in improving data efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Therefore, digitalized reporting via Google Forms has the potential to serve as an effective solution in supporting better governance in Salatiga City.

The high electricity and water consumption in industrial textile dyeing processes represents an environmental and economic challenge, requiring optimization strategies to reduce costs and impacts toward cleaner production. This work proposes an optimization model to minimize costs associated with water and electricity consumption in industrial textile dyeing processes. The model has a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation. The objective function to be minimized is the total process costs. The constraints consider production capacity, daily production limits, and specific costs per material. A case study was conducted in a real industrial process for three types of tissue: cotton, polyester, and polyamide. The model was coded in GAMS and the CPLEX solver was used to solve the problem. The results showed that water consumption accounted for 78.2% of the total cost in the optimal solution. Using the same model, an alternative simulation was performed, replacing four smaller-capacity machines with a single larger-capacity machine, resulting in a marginal reduction in total costs. Simulations were also performed to replace the current machines with highly efficient automated HT (High Temperature) machines, indicating a potential 71.39% reduction in water consumption costs. The conclusion is that the proposed model is effective for optimizing textile dyeing processes, balancing operational efficiency and sustainability, and is applicable in complex industrial scenarios.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the Proactive Environmental Practices (PEPs) adopted by U.S. craft breweries, addressing a significant gap in the literature that has largely overlooked the operational and managerial dimensions of sustainability in this sector. While the craft brewing industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, it also generates substantial environmental impact through energy use, water consumption, and waste. Existing research tends to focus either on consumer preferences or technological efficiency, leaving the perspectives of brewery owners underexplored. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with brewery owners across all U.S. regions, followed by a nationwide survey of 237 brewery owners and general managers. Guided by the 6 R framework (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Rationalize), we identified and ranked 41 PEPs based on their level of perceived importance. Findings reveal that low-cost and high-visibility practices such as spent grain reuse, LED lighting, and filtered water systems are widely adopted, while more capital-intensive solutions like solar energy and rainwater harvesting are underutilized. The analysis also uncovered that most breweries prioritize waste reduction over energy and water conservation. This research provides actionable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and sustainability advocates. It offers practical guidelines for integrating environmental practices into small and medium-sized brewery operations and contributes to broader discussions on sustainability in resource-intensive industries.

The construction industry faces a challenge in adopting sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact. The search for eco-friendly alternatives has led to the development of materials incorporating recycled waste, optimizing natural resource use. For that reason, ceramic materials with recycled mining waste are gaining attention for their ability to improve the physical and mechanical properties of products while managing mining waste. This approach aligns with circular economy principles by promoting material reduction, reuse, and recycling, which in turn reduces CO2 emissions and enhances manufacturing sustainability. Innovations in the ceramic industry can play a key role in transitioning to a more environmentally responsible model. In this research the main goal is understand the properties and environmental benefits through efficient waste management in new construction materials. For that, this study develops new ceramic materials using recycled mining sludge from Panasqueira mine (Portugal) exploring their potential for sustainable production. Specifically, this research evaluated the impact of adding different proportions of mining sludge (10%, 25%, and 50% by weight) on ceramic brick manufacturing and the samples were fired at controlled temperatures of 800, 950, and 1100 °C, allowing the evaluation of the thermal influence on the final properties of the samples. The methodology employed involved multiple stages, and the following methods were employed: the chemical and mineralogical properties of the materials used were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques to identify their composition. TGA was performed to assess the thermal properties of the materials. Elastic properties and compactness were evaluated by measuring ultrasonic pulse velocities. The mineralogy, texture, and microstructure of the samples were examined using SEM, providing detailed information about the structural and compositional characteristics. The chromatic properties get to study the aesthetic effects of waste incorporation and their use in new and ancient buildings. The results highlighted that the addition of mining sludge did not significantly alter the overall mineralogy. However, XRD and SEM analyses confirmed that sludge acted as a flux, promoting the formation of mineral phases at lower temperatures and increasing the vitreous phase, improving ceramic structure. The addition of sludge, combined with higher firing temperatures, enhanced the mechanical properties, as evidenced by increased ultrasonic pulse velocities, indicating greater internal cohesion and strength. Color changes were influenced by waste proportions and firing conditions, with higher temperatures (1100°C) producing the most significant variations compared to control samples. The main conclusions confirm that using mining sludge in ceramic manufacturing offered environmental and economic benefits, including reduced clay extraction and water consumption (by 22% to 50%). This led to a more sustainable process, aligning with the industry's goal to lower the carbon footprint. The addition of mining sludge in ceramic brick production improves production sustainability, reducing the use of raw materials, saving energy, and recycling industrial waste. These findings demonstrate the potential of this new ceramic material as an eco-friendly solution for the construction industry. This research is part of the project PCI2024-153488 funded by MICIU/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF/ EU.

Agrotourism is a form of tourism that utilizes agricultural land and supporting facilities to attract visitors. One of the emerging agrotourism destinations in Rasau Jaya Tiga is Taman Inspirasi Strawberry (Strawberry Inspiration Park), which serves as a local agriculture-based tourist attraction. With technological advancements in the agricultural sector, innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT) a concept that connects physical devices to the internet to automatically collect and exchange data without human intervention have enabled the implementation of automated plant irrigation systems. In this Community Service Program, an IoT-based automatic irrigation system was designed and implemented for strawberry cultivation. The system employs soil moisture and temperature sensors to regulate watering automatically and can be monitored via mobile devices. In addition to system installation, outreach and training sessions were conducted for park managers and participants to ensure proper system operation. The implemented IoT system successfully reduced irrigation time by 53.3% and water consumption by 41.6% compared to manual methods. Participant satisfaction reached 92%, with the highest ratings in the usefulness of the technology and the effectiveness of the training. These findings demonstrate that the application of IoT technology is effective in supporting plant maintenance and enhancing both productivity and the overall appeal of the Taman Inspirasi Strawberry agrotourism site.

The downstream process of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is expensive and significantly contributes to overall manufacturing costs. One primary reason is the extensive consumption of water and chemicals required for preparing large volumes of various buffers, essential for multiple chromatography and filtration steps. Reducing the water consumption in biopharmaceutical processes is critical to drive down costs and improve sustainability, which can be achieved through the introduction of buffer recycling. In this study, we implemented buffer recycling in an integrated two-step mAb downstream process consisting of a Protein A capture step in a periodic counter-current (PCC) set-up, followed by a mixed-mode polishing step in flowthrough mode. Buffer recycling was implemented during the cleaning-in-place (CIP) phases of the integrated steps, where the CIP buffer from the polishing column was recovered and reused counter-currently in the CIP phase of the capture column. Compared to the reference process without buffer recycling, this approach resulted in 29% savings in CIP buffer, while maintaining product purity within 0.66% and yield within 1.68% of the reference process. These minor differences confirm that buffer recycling can be implemented without compromising product quality. Through buffer recycling, we see significant potential to improve process sustainability in biomanufacturing by conserving water and reducing chemical waste.

This study presents a detailed evaluation of the energy performance and design optimization of a novel four-stage indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) enhanced with a supplementary humidifier, examined under the summer design conditions of Riyadh. Although previous research has demonstrated the system’s high thermal effectiveness, its energy efficiency—expressed through the coefficient of performance (COP)—and the influence of key design parameters have not been thoroughly explored. To address this gap, we integrate a validated thermal model with a comprehensive energy consumption model to assess the COP of the system under varying operational and geometric conditions. Results show that the baseline design achieves a maximum COP of 14.3. Through parametric optimization of heat exchanger depth and air velocity, the maximum COP increases to 20.4—a 43% improvement, associated with a supply temperature of 13.2 °C and specific water consumption of 2.5 kg/kWh at a return ratio of 0.3. The optimal parameters—a heat exchanger depth of 1.5 m and a humid-path air velocity of 1 m/s—ensure both high efficiency and practical feasibility. Overall, the findings highlight the considerable potential of the optimized multistage IEC system as a highly energy-efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional vapor-compression cooling technologies, contributing to reduced energy consumption and enhanced environmental sustainability in hot and dry climates.

Water resources in Croatia, particularly in coastal regions like Zadar County, face significant challenges due to both natural and human-induced factors. The impacts of climate change, along with rapid tourism development, pose threats not only to freshwater systems such as rivers and aquifers but also to the quality of coastal waters. Sustainable water resource management requires balancing ecological, social, and economic needs, while also ensuring these needs can be met in the future. Therefore, it is essential to quantify and assess the current state of water resources, identify potential impacts, and understand how these may evolve over time. The DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, and Responses) framework offers a comprehensive approach for assessing and managing environmental issues, particularly in the context of water resources. It helps identify the links between potential sources of environmental problems and their consequences. In this paper, the DPSIR methodology is applied to Zadar County, Croatia — a region facing potential water-related and environmental challenges. The analysis covers the driving forces influencing water resources, the pressures on water quality and availability, the current state of various water bodies, and the resulting ecological and socio-economic impacts, as well as the responses from different stakeholders. Population growth and tourism development have been identified as the main driving forces, while increased water consumption and wastewater discharge are the primary pressures. Although the current state of water bodies is generally satisfactory, it is subject to change, which could lead to ecological, social, and economic consequences. This paper explores the complex relationship between human activities and water resource management, providing a foundation for more sustainable water management policies in the region.

Objective Biotechnology using enzymes has been explored in textile wet processing for the potential of reducing energy and water consumption, due to the use of the highly specific biocatalysts that can operate under mild temperature and neutral pH conditions. The current research study contributes to an understanding of the use of the enzyme peroxidase for textile coloration of wool fabrics as an alternative coloration method to using conventional dyestuffs. Peroxidases, belonging to the enzyme group of oxidoreductases, can catalyze oxidation of a wide range of colorless simple aromatic compounds as precursors to form polymeric colorants. This enzymatic coloration can be successfully applied to in-situ dyeing of wool fabrics at a low temperature through peroxidase catalysis of various precursors over a broad range of pH values to achieve a diverse color palette. To explore the potential of enzymatic coloration for fabric design, a woven wool base fabric was embroidered using computer-controlled embroidery machines with embroidery yarns of different fiber types and subsequently enzymatically dyed to create color patterns. Peroxidase-catalyzed coloration has the potential not only as an alternative coloration process to create design patterns of fabrics, but also for saving energy and preventing fiber damage during the dyeing process.

Soil reservoirs are the foundation for stable grain production and sustainable development in dryland agricultural areas. This study combines long-term field positioning experiments to study the changes in soil moisture of spring maize in the Changwu Arid Plateau in the southern Loess Plateau from 2021 to 2024, and analyzes the interannual and intra annual variation characteristics and dynamic laws of soil reservoirs. The results showed that there was a significant deficit in soil reservoirs during dry years, with a deficit of 94.3 mm in the second season and 123.7 mm in the fourth season, and negative compensation in water balance was observed. In the year of abundant water, the soil reservoir had a significant surplus (208.6 mm), and the water balance showed positive compensation. The water source for evapotranspiration and water consumption during the growth period of spring corn indicated that, in wet years, it came solely from precipitation during the growth period, whereas in dry years, it was derived partly from precipitation and partly from soil water storage from the previous season. The water status of soil reservoirs had a significant impact on the growth of spring maize, and the water storage function of soil reservoirs was of great importance in alleviating the adverse effects of drought on crop growth. Bangladesh J. Bot. 54(3): 823-829, 2025 (September) Special

Background: Adolescents' beverage consumption habits are crucial for their overall diet and health. The preference for sugary drinks has become a growing concern due to their potential health impacts. Understanding these patterns and their influencing factors provides valuable insights into the dietary behaviors of this age group. Objectives: This study aims to examine the beverage consumption habits of adolescents, with a specific focus on their preferences for sugary drinks and the relationship between these preferences and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 341 adolescents aged 14-18 years by face-to-face interview method. Results: It was observed that 72.4% of the participants stated that they consumed sugary drinks with meals and this consumption was mostly concentrated in the evening meal. It was observed that girls consumed more sugary drinks than boys. Increased screen time significantly increased the frequency of sugary drink consumption. It was found that children of parents with higher education levels consumed less sugary drinks. The most preferred beverages of adolescents after water consumption were cola, ayran and tea. Beverage preferences affected the BMI of adolescents, and it was found that participants with normal BMI drank less ayran, fruit juice, lemonade, cola, soda, fruity soda, iced tea, Turkish coffee, and hot chocolate. Conclusion: Factors that increase the consumption of sugary drinks by adolescents may affect the food preferences and eating habits of these individuals in later ages. Therefore, promoting healthy beverage habits and increasing awareness are of great importance for the long-term health of adolescents.

The quality of drinking water remains a critical determinant of human health, particularly in academic environments where large populations depend on shared water sources. This study assessed the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of drinking water in Sa’adu Zungur University Bauchi, and its environs. Samples were collected from boreholes, storage tanks, water commonly consumed within the university community. Standard laboratory methods were employed to analyze key physico-chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity, while heavy metals including lead, iron, and zinc were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Microbiological quality was evaluated through total coliform and Escherichia coli counts. Results revealed that while most physico-chemical parameters fell within the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, some samples exceeded the recommended levels for turbidity and total dissolved solids. Moreover, microbial analysis indicated the presence of coliforms in certain water sources, raising concerns about possible fecal contamination. The findings highlight potential health risks associated with the consumption of untreated water in the study area. It is therefore recommended that routine monitoring, proper sanitation practices, and point-of-use treatment measures be enforced to safeguard public health and ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water.This study assessed the quality of drinking water in Gadau Campus of Sa'adu Zungur University and its environs. Water samples were collected from 10 different sources (2boreholes and 8 tap water) and analyzed for various physicochemical parameters. The results showed that the water quality index (WQI) values ranged from 43.4 to 102.2, indicating poor to good water quality. The study revealed that the drinking water sources in the study area were contaminated with various pollutants, posing health risks to consumers. Therefore, regular monitoring and treatment of drinking water sources are recommended to ensure safe and potable water supply.

In response to the significant waste of agricultural irrigation resources and the inaccuracy of water demand predictions, this study aims to develop an automated irrigation system that can reduce fluctuations in water volume and enable precise control. Against the backdrop of current water scarcity and low agricultural water efficiency, improving irrigation precision is of great significance for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development. This study combines particle swarm optimization algorithm with extreme learning machine and integrates it into a microcontroller to construct a new intelligent irrigation system. This technology can solve the problem of inaccurate crop water demand predictions in existing technologies and promote the transformation of intelligent agriculture from empirical to data-driven. This technology uses a LoRa based wireless sensor network to collect data and is controlled by a microcontroller. The particle swarm algorithm optimizes the initial parameters of the extreme learning machine, improving the accuracy with which it predicts farmland water demand. The results showed that the proposed method had the lowest root mean square error value, with an average of only 0.1025, indicating that the algorithm had the most accurate irrigation prediction effect. The automatic water-saving irrigation technology proposed in this study required less water compared to traditional irrigation techniques, with a minimum water consumption of 3015 m 3 /hm 2 and a maximum water consumption of only 5268.3 m 3 /hm 2 . The system’s accuracy in predicting crop irrigation water demand could reach over 98%. The method proposed in this study can accurately control irrigation water. It can also maximize irrigation water conservation. This brings new research directions for the knowledge system of automated water-saving irrigation technology in farmland. It also provides new technical ideas for the development of intelligent agricultural irrigation technology.

Problem statement. The reliable operation of water supply systems is characterized by the delivery of the design amount of water to consumers while maintaining the required pressure at water draw-off points. One of the common issues in water supply networks that arises after a certain period of operation is the increase in water consumption, which leads to the need for additional supply to the network. Purpose of the study. Additional flow volumes may be introduced into the network either as a single combined stream with the full volume routed to the main supply node, as a separate flow to any node, or as distributed portions across multiple nodes. The choice of a supplementary supply scheme requires determining whether new supply nodes should be used, their optimal placement, and how to distribute flow between them and the main supply node. Optimization criteria may include minimizing the pressure generated by pumping equipment or minimizing head losses along network sections. Methodology. The search for an optimal scheme of additional network supply is based on the assessment of all possible locations for water input and the distribution of additional water flow between these supply nodes. Each option involves the determination of water flow rates and head losses across network sections under corresponding flow distribution scenarios. Results. The study includes an analysis of operational challenges in water supply networks, identification of stages and intensity of increasing demand for system expansion, and examination of factors influencing the selection of supplementary supply nodes in ring-type water supply networks. It ensures optimal flow and consumption distribution across network sections. The hydraulic characteristics of network segments under varying flow rates and distributions were studied, and different distribution variants in networks with various numbers of segments were analyzed. Additionally, an algorithm for determining optimal nodes for connecting supplementary water sources in ring networks was considered. Scientific novelty. The study analyzes key factors affecting the selection of supplementary supply schemes, demonstrating the importance of accounting for the distribution of water flow among supply nodes to enable energy-efficient operation of the system. Practical value. The results of the analysis allow for faster and more effective decision-making in the selection of supplementary supply schemes for water distribution networks.

Sustainable and low oxidative damage bleaching strategy for degummed ramie cellulose fibers using NHPI selective catalytic oxidation system.

Background: Hypertension is a significant global health issue, particularly in industrial environments where employees are perpetually subjected to occupational hazards. Aims and Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the correlation between various modifiable factors and hypertension among these workers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among cement industry workers utilizing a pre-tested questionnaire that included socio-demographic variables, daily and weekly work duration, physical activity levels, awareness of health risks, dietary practices, water consumption, junk food intake, high-sodium diet, personal habits, sleep patterns, stress levels, and health-seeking behavior regarding hypertension. Results: The study involving 164 male cement industry workers aged 18–65 revealed that 39 (24%) of the participants had hypertension. There was a statistically significant correlation with modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, stress, reduced sleep duration, lack of physical activity, and obesity. A substantial number of employees suffered from persistent hypertension-related symptoms, prompting some to seek medical attention. However, sticking to long-term treatment was challenging due to the work environment’s setup. Conclusion: This study underscores the high incidence of hypertension among cement industry workers, associated with stress, tobacco consumption, physical inactivity, and obesity. Making lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of developing health problems related to high blood pressure.

Optimizing water management: Identifying strategies to enhance irrigation efficiency under drought conditions.

Diabetic foot ulcers are the most severe problem among diabetic patients, which may lead to amputation of the lower extremity. We aim to explore the anti-diabetic and wound healing potency of niranthin in experimental mice. BALB/c mice were injected with 55mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The wounds were created in the diabetic and non-diabetic animals. The Group-I mice are non-diabetic controls, and Group-II mice with Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). The Group-III mice were treated with DFU + Niranthin 25mg/kg b.wt for 16days. The Group-IV mice were treated with DFU + Niranthin 50mg/kg b.wt for 16days. The Group-V mice were treated with DFU + Insulin 10IU/kg b.wt for 16days. The body weight, food and water consumption were measured in all the groups. The wound closure rate (%), CT 50 in days, macroscopic analysis, serum insulin, glucose and glycated haemoglobin were also quantified, followed by the estimation of antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, Nitric oxide, and hydroxyproline levels. The pathology of skin tissue in the control and experimental groups were examined microscopically. Our study revealed that the niranthin treatment at the doses of 25 and 50mg/kg b.wt potentially regulates the body weight, food and water intake in the DFU mice. The niranthin treatment decreased the glucose and HbA1c levels to the normal range by increasing the insulin levels in the diabetic mice. The niranthin treatment increased the contents of antioxidants and hydroxyproline, while the levels of NO and lipid peroxidation decreased in the diabetic mice. The reepithelialisation and decreased inflammation were pathologically observed in the niranthin-treated mice. Our data revealed that the niranthin treatment exerts considerable wound healing properties in diabetic mice. Therefore, it can be concluded that niranthin can be a prominent complementary therapeutic agent for diabetic patients with delayed wound healing.

Advancing typhoid conjugate vaccine implementation in Asia: Regional policy priorities.

Assessment of source and storage conditions on bacterial composition of mineral packaged water using amplicon sequencing.