Abstract |
Water-use characteristics of a sample of factories were studied in several parts of Puerto Rico. The factories belong to the metal, chemical-petrochemical, pulp-paper, and food processing classifications. A questionnaire was employed for this purpose. The two main sources of water intake reported were public utilities and deep wells. Only 32% of the plants reported treating intake water. Cooling, production and distribution of heat and power, and incorporation into product ranked highest of all water uses. Only 20% of the factories reported using evaporative type air cooling systems. Forty one percent reported practicing water reuse. The municipal sewer system, underground disposals, and the ocean ranked highest of all waste water receiving bodies. Sedimentation and neutralization were the most frequently reported waste water treatments. (WRSIC abstract) |