The main objectives of the study were to;
• Identify water related technology requirements in the Northwest’s manufacturing base.
• Identify key drivers for investment.
• Identify key technical issues and relevant technologies.
• Highlight priorities in the key sub-sectors of the manufacturing industry.
• Propose a methodology to engage the knowledge and supplier base.

For industry as a whole and in particular the manufacturing sector, water is
becoming an increasingly precious resource and a valuable raw material. With
increased legislative pressure, and increasing costs for fresh water and effluent
treatment, companies are being driven to address water efficiency and
effluent/waste management as part of their core day to day operations.

The North West has a particularly strong manufacturing base covering:
• Food and drink
• Pharmaceutical
• Fine chemicals
• Aerospace
• Automotive

The aim of this study is to identify; drivers for improving and investing in water
and effluent management, the technologies available to implement water
efficiency and effluent treatment and to examine, by industry sector, the
predominance.