Ford Commits to Cutting Down Water Usage

At times when water is becoming a scarcer and scarcer resource, major brands are thinking about new methods of reducing the global water usage, without impacting their overall production and profitability.

Following this path, Ford has succeeded in cutting down on water by 62 percent over the last ten years, GreenBiz informs.

According to officials from the giant company, this measure has helped preserve 10.5 billion gallons. So far, every Ford vehicle has been manufactured using up to 49 percent less water.

Since this conservation strategy has revealed impressive results without affecting the vehicle production, the automaker plans to respect stricter standards, decreasing water supplies used to build cars by other 30 percent, over the next three years.

Changes could become truly noticeable, since the company would have to rely only on 3.5 cubic meters for every single car, compared to 9.5 cubic meters demanded 12 years ago.

Such a measure is much needed nowadays, and its environmental benefits are currently being praised by major companies operating in the beverage industry, like PepsiCo and Coca Cola. However, in this case, environmental awareness isn't the only stimulant pushing Ford one step closer towards a sustainable business strategy.

Since some of its factories are located in water-stressed areas, the automaker is literally forced to use less water and adopt a much more eco-conscious attitude.

This is the case of its plant opened in Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the Rio Grande River has failed to provide all the gallons required by the company to produce its vehicles.

Water scarcity has made Ford develop and implement a wastewater treatment system, recycling and reusing almost 80% of the overall amount of water. Apparently, tough times have determined Ford to use drinking water only for quenching the thirst of its employees.