235M Gallons of Water Saved and $160K in Annual Savings Helps Animal-Based Protein Company Avoid Regulatory Shutdown
Executive summary
An animal-based protein company faced a critical regulatory challenge as its water use approached the maximum limit of its withdrawal permit. Exceeding this threshold risked fines, operational shutdowns, and reputational damage. SSC stepped in with its proven Sustainability Action Plan process, focusing on water efficiency to identify both cost savings and reduction opportunities. Through procedural improvements, leak detection, and operational changes, SSC helped the company achieve 235 million gallons in annual water savings—a 25% reduction—and uncover $160,000 in cost savings, all while avoiding regulatory penalties and advancing its 2025 sustainability goals.
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Key Findings
Regulatory Risk Mitigated:
The company was operating at 2.95 million gallons/day, just under its 3 million gallon/day permit limit, creating a high risk of fines or shutdown.Significant Water Reduction:
SSC identified opportunities to reduce water use by 235 million gallons annually, equal to 25% of total facility use.Cost Savings Beyond Free Water:
Although groundwater was free, SSC identified $160,000 in savings tied to reduced chemical use, treatment costs, and operational inefficiencies.Low- and No-Cost Solutions:
Most recommendations required no major capital investment, relying on improved procedures, maintenance, and daily operational changes.Sustainability Goal Achievement:
The water savings enabled the company to meet its 2025 water reduction target ahead of schedule.
Results
Estimated Annual Savings: 235M Gallons of Water
$160,000 in annual savings
Regulatory compliance maintained, avoiding potential fines or shutdowns.
Clear progress toward long-term sustainability commitments.
Quick implementation with low/no capital investment required.
“Many companies assume sustainability initiatives come with high cost. By engineering small process changes and addressing inefficiencies like leaks and sanitation practices, we were able to help the client avoid regulatory risk, reduce water use by 25%, and uncover significant cost savings without major capital investment.”
Tad Radzinski, PE, SEP, LEED AP, SFP
President & Co-Founder, Sustainable Solutions Corporation
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The company relied heavily on groundwater, withdrawing nearly 1 billion gallons annually to support operations and daily sanitation. With a 3 million gallon/day withdrawal permit, operations had crept dangerously close to the threshold at 2.95 million gallons/day. Exceeding the limit would have triggered severe penalties and possibly a shutdown by local authorities. Facing regulatory and operational risk, the company engaged SSC to rapidly identify actionable water efficiency opportunities.
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SSC deployed its Sustainability Action Plan framework with a specific focus on water efficiency. The team conducted a facility assessment, reviewing operations, wastewater treatment processes, and daily sanitation practices. By observing on-site activities and engaging staff, SSC identified inefficiencies, leaks, and procedural improvements that could deliver immediate results. Importantly, most solutions were low or no cost, requiring no major capital expenditure. By aligning efficiency measures with operational realities, SSC provided the company with a roadmap that reduced both water use and operating costs, while ensuring compliance and supporting corporate sustainability goals.
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Sustainability Action Plans are a strategic, data-driven roadmap designed to help organizations improve operational efficiency, increase cost savings, reduce risk, and decrease environmental impact.
These plans are tailored to address key operational areas, including energy, carbon emissions, water usage, material use, and waste management.
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An audit and analysis of operations’ energy usage to identify inefficiencies and opportunities to reduce overall spend and energy consumption.
A strategic roadmap that identifies opportunities for emissions reduction across operations, supply chain, and energy use.
Detailed review of water use and reclamation/reuse opportunities to reduce total water usage and identify cost savings throughout.
A measurement, characterization, and quantification of material flows and all waste streams in order to properly understand your operations. We evaluate your current system for handling and management of materials and waste.
Waste Diversion and Zero Waste
Our proven process to understand the waste, develop a waste diversion roadmap, find new outlets for difficult-to-manage waste streams, and create processes for waste minimization to achieve zero waste to landfill.
