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WATER RESOURCES
Alcan is firmly committed to the sustainable
management of the significant water resources that it
owns and/or oversees. These resources and other water
rights are viewed as a form of public trust and a fundamental
component of the Company's long-term licence to operate.
Management of water resources is also an integral component
of Alcan's EHS FIRST management system that
seeks to improve the efficiency of water use, including
direct consumption, recycling and reuse. The Bauxite
and Alumina group and the Primary Metal group are the
largest users of water at Alcan and both share an important
challenge to optimize water utilization.
From an environmental perspective, managing water resources
for electricity generation encompasses a wide range
of issues, including water levels, shoreline erosion,
temperature, water routes, and other challenges such
as impacts on downstream habitat and species. Management
efforts need to address any negative impacts associated
with the above, in addition to the positive contribution
that water management can make to preventing catastrophic
floods and droughts.
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Saint-Louis river close
to the Beauharnois plant
in Quebec, Canada. |
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In January 2004, Alcan released a position paper in recognition
of the International Year of Freshwater. Entitled Committed
to the Sustainable Management of Water – One of Our Most
Precious Resources, the paper provides concrete examples
of Alcan's best practices in watershed management, increased
process efficiencies, usage conservation efforts, the reduction/improvement
of wastewater and water system remediation efforts. The paper
is available for downloading at www.alcan.com.
Alcan is also actively involved in efforts related to global
water management, including those of the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development, the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, the United Nations Environment
Programme, and the World Economic Forum Water Initiative (co-chaired
by Alcan's president and CEO).
Alcan often uses water that is shared with surrounding communities.
Reductions in the availability of water can result in water
restrictions on Alcan, which can impact its ability to operate.
In cases where public water supply is being used, lowering
water consumption and recycling water helps reduce the need
to draw from that supply. These efforts can reduce costs for
Alcan and, importantly, help ensure water availability for
the community, other businesses and the ecosystem.
Stakeholders expect the Company to undertake conservation
efforts aimed at reducing and, in some cases, eliminating
industrial water consumption. Alcan's role as a large industrial
user of water revolves around the scarcity of water resources
and the importance of contributing to a long-lasting supply,
at the lowest cost, for both Alcan and the communities, often
supplying the water through the public domain.
At the same time, as we help to manage shared water resources
in some communities, there are also opportunities to help
treat wastewater generated by non-Alcan users in surrounding
communities, thereby contributing to overall access to resources
(see the Kamsar
project in the Community Development section of this report).
Process improvements at Alcan over the years have led to
reduced consumption and, in some cases, made it possible to
eliminate process water releases and to use rainwater in place
of other water resources. Alcan continues to explore these
opportunities to promote more efficient water use.
Total water use
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|
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| in millions of m3 |
| |
|
|
| 2004 |
|
254.8 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
|
177.8 |
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|
|
| 2002 |
|
163.56 |
| The increase in total water use is due to the Pechiney
acquisition. |
Total water use rate
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| in millions of m3 per million of US$
sales |
| |
|
|
| 2004 |
|
0.0102 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
|
0.0128 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
|
0.0131 |
| Alcan demonstrated significant improvement in 2004,
reducing its rate of water consumption. GO-PDM, a data collection tool that
will improve the ability to assess its use of water resources and identify
opportunities for improving performance, is currently being implemented. |
Water consumption by source
| 2004 |
|
 |
|
| A |
|
Ground water |
|
31% |
| B |
|
Seawater |
|
32% |
| C |
|
Surface water |
|
29% |
| D |
|
Water from public network |
|
8% |
|
| 2003 |
|
 |
|
| A |
|
Seawater (cubic metres) use for power |
|
38% |
| B |
|
Tank/Rainwater (cubic metres) |
|
7% |
| C |
|
Fresh surface water river/lake (cubic metres) |
|
29% |
| D |
|
Alcan-owned well/bore hole water (cubic metres) |
|
19% |
| E |
|
Public net drinking water (cubic metres) |
|
6% |
| F |
|
Water recycled from bauxite residue lakes |
|
1% |
|
| Alcan's definitions of water sources were modified between
2003 and 2004. |
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