Access to water is an essential element for all socioeconomic growth and for preserving healthy ecosystems. As the population increases and development leads to an increase in the demand for ground and surface water, the pressure on water resources intensifies. Water scarcity is one of the primary issues facing governments, businesses and individuals in many parts of the world today. Water scarcity also exposes companies to business risks.
Fiat Group is aware that addressing this issue requires action to implement potential solutions for reducing overall water consumption and ensuring the high quality of discharged water.
In 2011, specific Water Management Guidelines were developed and distributed within Fiat Group (excluding Chrysler). These guidelines contain information on saving water, consistent with the corporate commitment to protecting the rights of future generations. They provide the principles for sustainable management of the entire water cycle and stipulate the technologies and management actions aimed at maximizing recycling and reuse and minimizing the discharge of pollutants.
Fiat Group periodically maps the availability of water resources around the world, correlating the quantity of water available with the quantity consumed for each region. Areas where the Group is present are subsequently overlaid. This analysis identified 13 plants located in areas where water may be considered a limited resource¹. Accordingly, these plants undertook appropriate measures to improve water reuse and recycling. Further risk assessment activities concerning scarce water resources will be carried out in 2012 for all plants located in areas considered particularly affected by this issue.
(1) Water availability < 1,700 m³/(person per year). Source: FAO’s global information system.
As a result of improvements in water cycle management and measures for water reuse in industrial processes, in 2011 the Group reduced overall water consumption by 12.7% over 2010 (from 34.2 to 29.9 million m3) and the percentage of water reuse in production cycles at Group plants worldwide was estimated at approximately 95.6%².
In 2011, Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) reduced water consumption per vehicle produced by a further 15.9% over 2010 (a 38.1% reduction over 2006), while Chrysler achieved a 20% reduction compared to the previous year.
For 2014, FGA has committed to an overall reduction of 25% over 2009 levels (equal to -40% over 2006), and Chrysler has committed to -20% by 2014 over 2010.
FGA also improved its water recycling index(9) from 94.6% in 2009 to 97.4% in 2011.
(2) Data for Chrysler Group was not measured and consequently is not included in this figure.
(3) Water sources are regarded as significantly affected by water withdrawals and/or discharges if they are designated protected areas or have high biodiversity value, or if the withdrawals and/or discharges of water account for more than 5% of the average annual volume of the water body concerned. Only surface water has been taken into account.
(4) Accounting for more than 5% of annual average volume.
(5) Data includes Chrysler Group for the full year.
(6) Data restated to include Chrysler Group and to exclude companies demerged into Fiat Industrial S.p.A.
(7) Data restated to exclude companies demerged into Fiat Industrial S.p.A. It does not include Chrysler Group, as Chrysler Group LLC was first formed in mid-year 2009. Accordingly, 2009 data is not comparable to 2010 and 2011.
(8) When indicated “Chrysler” the scope includes Chrysler Group assembly and stamping facilities to be consistent with Fiat Group Automobiles scope of operations.
(9) Total water recycled in production processes as a percentage of the total water requirement.
(10) Data restated to exclude companies demerged into Fiat Industrial S.p.A.
One area that Chrysler Group focused on in 2011 was the capture and reuse of rainwater. With the increasing scarcity and cost of water and of wastewater services, rainwater harvesting is becoming more environmentally and economically strategic. The Dundee, Michigan engine plant implemented an innovative project to collect rainwater and mix it with purchased water in order to reduce municipal water usage. The rainwater collected throughout the year is used as cooling water in manufacturing processes.
The quality of water discharged from Group plants worldwide was maintained well within regulatory limits. In particular, analyses conducted on water discharged from FGA plants worldwide revealed levels of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) at least 89% below regulatory requirements, while levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were at least 68% and 55% below required limits respectively.
In 2012, further parameters among those most significant for the relevant industrial processes – such as heavy metals discharged in water – will be published for all Group sectors in order to ensure a comprehensive view of Fiat Group’s overall impact on water quality.
No significant spills were reported for the Group in 2011.
