Sustainable Water Utilisation In Ghanaian Breweries: Current Practices And Prospects
Date
2020-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Water is extremely essential for all life forms and their very existence. It is a fundamental
necessity for livelihoods, economic growth, health and development and environmental
sustainability. In the brewery sector, water is the single most important used raw material for
production and cleaning purposes, Nonetheless, given the alarming nature of climate change,
water pollution, population dynamics and land use evolutions, the brewery industry faces an
enormous business risk as the diminishing of freshwater volumes pose a threat to its business
continuity. Thus, breweries require a strong commitment to cleaner production processes that
hinge on sustainable water management practices for continuous production.
This study investigates the patterns and current trends in sustainable water use, opportunities
for optimizing water use and organizational commitment to sustainable water management
using sur\'e) data from the two main breweries in Ghana for the 2015 to 2018.
Using 48 monthly specific water use data from January 2015 to December, 2018. the specific
water usage for both ABL and GGBL are statistically significantly different from the
international benchmark value of 6.50hL/hL at the I% level although, ABL's average water
use has a stronger significance or is more sustainable over the study period than GGBI's
average water use. Furthermore, the average specific water usage for both ABL and GGBL are
compared with the best technology level of 4.00hL/hL and test results reveal that during the
period under consideration, ABL's average specific water usage of 4.45hL/hL is statistically
significantly different from the best technology level of 4.00hL/hL whiles GGBL 's average
specific water usage is not statistically significantly different. Thus, considering water use at
the best technology level of 4.00 hL/hL, GGBL is more sustainable than ABL.
The study recommends collaborative partnerships between the brewery industry and
government agencies that will lead to the development of sustainable water usage index or a
local benchmark that factors local challenges and standards for monitoring water usage in the
local economy.
Description
MPhil. Climate And Sustainable Development
Keywords
Water, Ghanaian, Breweries