The aim of this study was to investigate water conservation and reuse opportunities in a soft
drink/beverage manufacturing company. Water use analysis and benchmarking were carried out to determine
the areas and processes where significant water saving potential is present. Based on evaluations,
water recycling and reuse practices were realized in cooling systems. As a result of applying these practices,
the total specific cooling water demand of the company was reduced from 14.4 to 1.2 m3/m3 product
or by 91.8%. Moreover, the total specific water intensity of the company was decreased 55.0%. Thus, the
achieved total annual water saving was 503,893 m3. After applications, specific wastewater generation
of the company was reduced by 57.4% and hydraulic overload issues in wastewater treatment plant
of Kayseri organized industrial zone were resolved. During the implementation of water saving measures/
techniques 56,960 $ was spent for equipments. Annual cost saving of the company were 97,000 $.
So, the payback period of the implementations was approximately 7 months. This study proved that
water recycling and reuse can successfully be implemented in soft drink/beverage industry as a sustainable
industrial water management approach. If successfully replicated in other manufacturing sectors
besides soft drink/beverage sector, outcomes of this study can be a solution for excessive cooling water
consumption in Turkey as well as other parts of the world where similar processes are employed.