An analysis of indirect water withdrawal and consumption due to electricity and workers in automotive manufacturing facilities

Abstract

Water is a key resource for all life. Recent droughts have also exemplified the importance for manufacturers to understand their impact on water resources. While most manufacturers typically know the amount of water they use in their facilities, they have little knowledge about the indirect effects they have on water resources. In this paper, the indirect impact from the automakers’ electricity use and work force on water resources is examined. Water withdrawal and consumption from electricity use by hypothetical but representative facilities around the world is quantified and analysed. Water withdrawal by the workers is also quantified and analysed. The results indicate that the water withdrawal and consumption by the workforce and caused by the use of electricity is larger than the direct water use and consumption in the facilities themselves.

Keywords:

• Water withdrawal
• consumption
• automotive
• electricity
• workforce

Acknowledgements

The material presented in this manuscript is based on research done within the Sustainable Design and Manufacturing group at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The authors would like to thank all who have contributed invaluable input and support, including but not limited to Thomas Niemann, Sherry Mueller, Sue Rokosz, Heidi McKenzie, Hyung Chul Kim and Tim Wallington from the Ford Motor Company. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of research sponsors and/or the authors’ parent institutions.