- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ecolab's Smart Technology Helps Ford Drive Major Water Savings at Chicago Plant https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/202561?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/202561?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/202561?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Ecolab's Smart Technology Helps Ford Drive Major Water Savings at Chicago Plant&body=ESG News from Ecolab https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/202561?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Responsible Production & Consumption](/CSR-News/responsible-production-consumption-0) # Ecolab's Smart Technology Helps Ford Drive Major Water Savings at Chicago Plant Jul 11, 2018 11:15 AM ET Campaign: [2017 CSR Report](/news/campaign/2017-csr-report) ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/jcp_little_ecolab_ford_1850.jpg "Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, is helping Ford drive water savings.") Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, is helping Ford drive water savings. When it comes to water management, Ford Motor Company continually strives to go further. The company has reduced water use by more than 10 billion gallons since 2000 and is aiming for an additional 30 percent reduction per vehicle from 2015 to 2020. Its long-term ambition: zero freshwater use in manufacturing. To enhance efficiency and cut water consumption at its Chicago assembly plant, [Ford worked with Nalco Water](https://www.ecolab.com/stories/ford-on-the-road-to-greater-water-savings-with-smart-technology), an Ecolab company that specializes in water treatment technologies. As a result, the plant saved 23 million gallons of freshwater in four months’ time, equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of more than 79,000 people. By reducing its water use, the plant also saved an annualized $186,000. The partnership focused on two areas: - Cooling towers, which consume large quantities of water and have operational challenges such as scaling, corrosion, fouling and biological growth – all of which impact water use, performance and costs. - Pre-treatment baths, where metal is treated before it is painted – a process that also consumes a significant amount of water. Nalco Water implemented two projects to help the plant use water more effectively: - Installed a proprietary water-saving system to optimize cooling tower performance and reduce water use. The digital technology led to a 27 percent reduction in water use at the plant as well as considerable cost savings. The system is continuously monitored by Ecolab personnel to provide real-time resolution of problems and prevent extensive water loss. - Set up wireless meters in the pre-treatment baths to constantly monitor water usage. To improve efficiency, Ford wanted to monitor water overflow when the baths were refilled. The wireless meters track the programmed water flow rate. If the rate changes, paint process engineers receive an instant alert. Previously, problem identification and resolution could take days or even months, which affected both efficiency and costs. Another key element of the plant’s water management is the implementation of circular water strategies – reusing and recycling water. Nalco Water is working with Ford to deploy a technology to recycle phosphate rinse water, which could lead to a considerable reduction in water use. The plant is also developing processes to reuse of up to 90 percent of its pre-treatment process water, which will greatly reduce the need to tap into the Chicago municipal water supply. With these technologies in place, Ford has the potential to save an additional 55 million gallons of water per year, equivalent to $481,000 in additional cost savings. To learn more about how Ecolab helps its customers save water, energy and cost, read our new [Corporate Sustainability Report.](https://www.ecolab.com/sustainability/current-sustainability-report) [![Ecolab logo](/sites/default/files/Clients/EcolabLogo4Color.jpg)](/profiles/ecolab) ### More from Ecolab ###### [Ecolab Earns Top Score of 100; Recognized as a Best Place To Work for Disability Inclusion](/news/ecolab-earns-top-score-100-recognized-best-place-work-disability-inclusion) Jul 20, 2022 11:05 AM ET ###### [How an ‘Internal Water Price’ Helps Companies Make Better Decisions](/news/how-internal-water-price-helps-companies-make-better-decisions) Jul 14, 2022 12:30 PM ET ###### [Ecolab Celebrates New Water Stewardship Certifications on World Water Day](/news/ecolab-celebrates-new-water-stewardship-certifications-world-water-day) Mar 22, 2022 10:30 AM ET ###### [Advancing Sustainability: Necessary for the Planet and Smart for Business](/news/advancing-sustainability-necessary-planet-and-smart-business) Feb 17, 2022 11:55 AM ET ###### [Ecolab Named Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for 10th Consecutive Year](/news/ecolab-named-best-place-work-lgbtq-equality-human-rights-campaigns-corporate-equality-index) Jan 28, 2022 11:45 AM ET ###### [Ecolab Ranks #33 on Corporate Knights' 2022 List of the World's Most Sustainable Corporations](/news/ecolab-ranks-33-corporate-knights-2022-list-worlds-most-sustainable-corporations) Jan 19, 2022 1:30 PM ET ###### [Ecolab Named One of America's Most JUST Companies](/news/ecolab-named-one-americas-most-just-companies) Jan 12, 2022 1:30 PM ET ###### [Ecolab Again Recognized for Global Water Leadership on CDP A List](/news/ecolab-again-recognized-global-water-leadership-cdp-list) Dec 14, 2021 9:30 AM ET