Date: May 28, 2008
Source: GE Water & Process Technologies
GE Releases White Paper on Best Practices for Recycling and Reusing Water
GE Water & Process Technologies released today -- Addressing Water Scarcity Through Recycling and Reuse: A Menu for Policymakers -- a white paper outlining the policies and best practices currently being used to increase and implement successful water conservation programs in water scarce regions of the world.
"Policymakers are looking for ways to expand water recycling and reuse initiatives, but until now finding information on how best to do that was tough," said Jeff Garwood, president and CEO, GE Water & Process Technologies. "By providing a menu of policy tools ranging from less intensive mechanisms, like public outreach programs, to more proactive, regulatory approaches, our paper will help governments, communities and businesses effectively evaluate their options."
Addressing Water Scarcity Through Recycling and Reuse: A Menu for Policymakers is built around a variety of policies that are being used in different locations of the world, including efforts to:
Provide more information on and recognition of water recycling and reuse efforts
Reduce or remove regulatory or cost barriers that prevent more water reuse or recycling
Provide financial, regulatory or other incentives for water recycling and reuse
Require more water recycling and reuse
Examples of how these policies are being applied in communities around the world are included in the report, which can be downloaded at www.ge.com/water.
Today, GE also announced its own commitment to reduce its own fresh water use by 20% by 2012. The new initiative is one of the world's most aggressive corporate water target to date and is expected to free up 7.4 million cubic meters (2 billion U.S. gallons) of fresh water a year - enough water to fill over 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. GE expects to implement water reuse technologies and/or process efficiencies at over 100 company facilities to meet the absolute water reduction target. GE is also using the same portfolio of water-saving solutions to help reduce municipal, industrial and agriculture customers' water footprints.
"Green technology offers a brighter future for our Blue Planet," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Ecomagination and others are growing green collar jobs and seizing on this changing climate of opportunity for water sustainability. EPA commends citizens, companies, and communities who are reducing water waste and increasing recycling because efficiency and reuse are the true blue wave of the future."
For more information on GE's water commitment please visit www.ge.com/ecomagination.
ABOUT GE WATER & PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
A world leader in membrane and filtration, diagnostic tools, specialty chemicals, mobile water, service, and financing, GE Water and Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), offers the broadest portfolio of global expertise and local capabilities. We invest in forward looking water and process technologies, leveraging the best practices of GE's ecomagination, to help customers balance environmental and economic goals. Our innovative team develops unique partnerships and delivers reliable, long-term solutions for communities, governments and industry that maximize water and energy resources. www.ge.com/water.
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing and media content, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
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