CHALLENGES | WATER
Water Challenges: Managing Risk and Compliance in Pharma
- High consumption and rising costs - Production, cleaning-in-place (CIP) , and cooling operations consume large amounts of water, driving costs and straining freshwater resources.
- Strict quality and compliance requirements - Water must meet strict GMP standards to prevent contamination and ensure full compliance.
- Operational and regulatory risks - Aging or inefficient systems can cause downtime, non-compliance, and production disruption.
Complex wastewater & untapped reuse - Effluents with solvents and APIs require specialized treatment within strict regulations; reuse potential often remains untapped.
BENEFITS | WATER
Four reasons to choose Veolia for your Water Management
A complete, end-to-end partner
From design to daily operations, we manage your full water cycle through flexible models, so you can focus on your core business.
Safety and compliance first
We ensure high-quality water while managing operational, environmental, and human risks for safe and continuous operations.
Lower costs, higher sustainability
Our reuse, recycling, and optimization solutions reduce operating costs and water consumption, supporting your ESG commitments and progress toward water neutrality.
Global expertise, local compliance
Extensive experience with global pharma leaders, combined with deep local regulatory knowledge, enabling reliable, tailored water management solutions.
Regulations & Legal Requirements
Public Utilities (Amendment) Act: This regulation mandates that new large-scale industrial projects must obtain board approval and achieve specific recycling targets starting from their fourth operational year. Companies must also submit annual Water Balance Charts documenting their water usage and recycling performance.
Water Efficiency Management Practices (PUB Regulations): Large water users must appoint a dedicated Water Efficiency Manager and submit comprehensive Water Efficiency Management Plans to PUB. Additional requirements include installing private water meters in key areas and providing regular notifications of water consumption levels.
Water Pricing Changes: The cost of industrial water is gradually being raised, making it more expensive. Recycled water (NEWater) is also seeing a price increase. These changes are intended to encourage companies to use less water and invest in efficiency and recycling.
ESG Objectives in Water Management
• Reduce water consumption/withdrawal (20-50% reductions)
• Achieve water neutrality in water-stressed regions
• Implement water stewardship and efficiency plans across all sites
• Eliminate negative impacts on water quality from manufacturing
• Obtain water management certification for high-impact sites
Industry Trends & Drivers
- Cost Pressure: Rapidly increasing water prices threaten manufacturing profitability in water-intensive pharma operations
- Circular Water Systems: Closed-loop water recycling while maintaining GMP compliance for pharmaceutical-grade water
- Water Stewardship: Water management plans essential in water-stressed manufacturing locations.
- Regional Risks: Water scarcity threatens operational continuity
- Regulatory Evolution: Stricter effluent discharge standards create new compliance requirements
Technology Integration: Need for advanced systems enabling water reuse while meeting WFI/purified water quality standards
Pharmaceutical companies must balance traditional quality standards (ISO 13485) with environmental certifications (ISO 14001) while maintaining GMP-compliant water systems for WFI production and contamination control.
DRIVERS | WATER
Water Management Evolution
Balancing Compliance, Costs & Sustainability
Pharmaceutical companies face converging regulatory, economic, and ESG pressures reshaping water management strategies. This demands innovative solutions addressing compliance requirements, rising costs, and sustainability goals without compromising pharmaceutical quality standards.
SOLUTIONS | WATER
On-Site Expertise for Complete Water Management
Focus on your core business while we operate and optimize your water systems, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and risk control.
Veolia offers smart water management solutions specifically designed for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. From design to daily operations, we provide an integrated approach that transforms water challenges into competitive advantages. Through system optimization, process water reuse, and advanced technology applications, we ensure regulatory compliance, reduces operational costs, and supports ESG objectives. This comprehensive expertise enables to benefit from reliable, high-quality water supply while optimizing their resources and minimizing their environmental impact.
Efficiency & Optimization Solutions
- Total water cycle management - Integrated water management from source to discharge, optimizing every stage of the water cycle
- Water & Wastewater Plant Optimization - Performance enhancement of treatment plants through automation and advanced process control
- Process Water Treatment - Specialized industrial water treatment tailored to specific process requirements
Recycling & Reuse Solutions
- Water Reuse Solutions - Safe reuse of treated water for non-critical applications
- Reclaim Water Solutions - Recovery and valorization of wastewater into usable water resources
Advanced Technology Solutions
- Wastewater Treatment - Advanced treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater containing APIs, solvents, and complex compounds using specialized technologies.
- Process Water Treatment - UPW (Ultra-Pure Water) / Drinking water - Production of ultra-pure water for biotech processes, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory applications.
- Advanced Water Systems for Pharma & Biotech - Veolia Water Technologies offers state-of-the-art water solutions designed for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. From purified water and Water for Injection (WFI) to clean steam systems and advanced wastewater treatment units, our products ensure compliance with global pharmacopeial standards while improving efficiency and sustainability.
DELIVERY MODEL | WATER
Tailored service models across your water value chain
Veolia’s expertise covers your entire value chain, from engineering and design to daily operation and maintenance. Our flexible service models are tailored to your needs, including: DBOM (Design, Build, Operate, Maintain), BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer), DBOO (Design, Build, Own, Operate) and O&M (Operation & Maintenance).
FOCUS O&M : With Veolia’s O&M model, we handle the daily operation and maintenance of your water and wastewater systems. This includes monitoring system performance, preventive maintenance, and ensuring compliance with GMP and regulatory standards so you can focus on your core business.
Explore our complementary solutions for Energy and Waste
CONTACT US
How can we help you?
Our dedicated experts are here to address your water and wastewater challenges and ensure efficient, compliant, and sustainable management.
