On a planet where per capita freshwater availability has dropped by more than 20% over the past two decades, agriculture faces an unavoidable challenge: producing more with less, and doing so within the water limits of each basin. In high water stress regions such as Chile’s Coquimbo Region, every drop counts. Here, almond cultivation and processing have become both an economic and export driver, but also an activity highly dependent on water resources, for irrigation as well as for industrial processes. The pressure on aquifers, the impact of prolonged droughts, and competition for water use demand a rethinking of production models.
This project breaks the linear logic of use and discard. It recovers, treats, and reuses the water employed in the almond peeling process, currently lost as effluent, reintegrating it into the production system. Through a treatment train composed of physical solids separation, advanced filtration, chlorine-free disinfection, and inline quality control, the recovered water meets parameters suitable for safe reuse in secondary processes and supplementary irrigation. The impact is immediate and measurable: more than 70% of the treated flow returns as usable water, reducing external withdrawals and decreasing pollutant loads discharged.
The scale of change is clear: if replicated across all almond processing plants in the region, more than 500,000 m³ could be recovered annually, equivalent to the yearly water consumption of 8,000 people. Beyond volumetric benefit, implementation under VWBA 2.0 ensures additionality (water would not have been available without the intervention), physical and digital traceability (continuous monitoring of volumes and quality), and intentionality (alignment with corporate and basin objectives). In a global scenario where the Water Positive strategy is setting the standard, this project positions the sector as an actor that not only reduces impacts but actively contributes to water security.
The almond processing industry in Coquimbo faces a common technical and environmental challenge: the water used in peeling, loaded with organic matter and solids, is discarded without valorization, creating pressure on treatment systems and wasting an increasingly scarce resource. The opportunity lies in transforming this residual flow into a water asset, integrating recovery technologies adapted to seasonal variability and local regulatory constraints.
The proposed solution installs a modular pre-treatment and filtration system that separates the solid fraction, usable for composting or bioenergy, and purifies the water to reuse parameters. This approach not only reduces external water demand by 30–40%, but also minimizes discharges, improves the plant’s environmental performance, and strengthens operational resilience against drought. In the short term, the benefit is clear: direct savings on supply and treatment costs. In the medium and long term, it consolidates a lower water footprint per ton processed and a stronger position with sustainability certifications and international client requirements.
Currently, structural causes worsening the problem include production systems designed for water abundance, lack of incentives for industrial reuse, and limited onsite treatment infrastructure. Regulatory and social pressure over water is growing, and companies that fail to adapt risk losing competitiveness and access to premium markets.
This model is scalable and replicable across the fruit agro-industry. Companies with ESG commitments, SBTN targets, or export certifications can lead this transition, gaining environmental, reputational, and economic benefits. Acting now means shifting from being a passive consumer to a regenerative water producer, a strategic change that redefines the industry’s role in the basin’s water security.
The project incorporates a compact, scalable, and continuously operating technological solution, specifically designed to treat and recirculate water used in the almond peeling process. The unit consists of an integrated sequence of physical, chemical, and photonic treatments that synergistically ensure the microbiological and physicochemical quality of the recovered water.
The process begins with assisted sedimentation using optimized flocculation to remove coarse solids and organic particulates from almond skins and natural oils. The water then passes through a high-efficiency tangential microfiltration stage, using 0.1–0.2 micron membranes equipped with an automated cleaning system to prevent clogging and ensure continuous operation.
Subsequently, the system incorporates an advanced oxidation reactor where hydrogen peroxide is dosed and high-intensity ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) is applied. This generates hydroxyl radicals capable of breaking down dissolved organic compounds, eliminating odors, and deactivating resistant pathogens. This stage achieves process water quality suitable for indirect contact with food, without the need for chlorine or other chemical disinfectants that could alter the organoleptic properties of the product.
The entire system operates with automated controls, inline sensors (for flow, turbidity, temperature, ORP, and conductivity), and remote connectivity for data traceability and quality monitoring. Its modular design allows the treatment capacity to be scaled according to the volume processed during peak or low production seasons.
With this intervention, a reduction of over 70% in freshwater withdrawal is projected, with recovery rates between 85% and 90%. In addition, wastewater discharge is virtually eliminated, reducing the burden on external treatment infrastructure and contributing to the closure of the internal water cycle, in line with principles of circular economy and industrial water resilience.
The solution will be installed on an existing processing line within the agro-industrial facility, operating in parallel to the current circuit to minimize disruptions and ensure seamless integration. This configuration enables installation without halting regular operations, avoiding impacts on production. The modular and autonomous design allows the system to scale and be replicated in other processing lines or facilities with similar needs.
The technology is based on a comprehensive water recovery and reuse process, consisting of sequential stages that act on various contaminants and characteristics of the wastewater. Initially, visible solids and coarse organic matter are removed through physical separation. Next, microfiltration is applied to retain fine and colloidal particles affecting turbidity and sanitary quality. Finally, a non-chemical disinfection stage (such as ultraviolet radiation) ensures the microbiological safety of the regenerated water, without introducing hazardous by-products or residues.
The system is fully automated and includes smart sensors that continuously monitor key water quality indicators such as treated flow, turbidity, temperature, and conductivity. This data not only ensures real-time operational control but also integrates with a digital platform, enabling traceability, performance analysis, and third-party validation of the benefits achieved.
Water quality validation is further supported by accredited laboratories conducting physicochemical and microbiological analyses to ensure compliance with standards for indirect food contact. Implementation will be carried out with the technical support of an experienced water reuse provider and validated by an independent entity that ensures transparency. The project also has the backing of local and regional stakeholders involved in water planning and regulation, which facilitates institutional alignment and territorial acceptance.
This project arises from the urgent need to reduce freshwater consumption in the almond agro-industry in Chile’s Coquimbo Region, one of the most water-stressed areas in the country. The objective is to implement an advanced water treatment and recirculation system in the almond peeling process, replacing the linear use of water with a circular model within the same processing plant.
The intervention is located in the Elqui River basin, which has been declared a Restricted Area by the Water Authority (DGA) in several zones due to severe aquifer overexploitation and minimal natural recharge. Rainfall in this region is scarce (less than 150 mm/year), and prolonged drought events are increasingly frequent due to climate change. Simultaneously, the expansion of intensive crops such as almonds has intensified water demand, creating a vicious cycle of pressure on water resources.
The scalding and peeling process uses large volumes of hot water (approximately 5–6 liters per kilogram of almonds), which becomes wastewater after use. This effluent contains skin residues, natural oils, high temperature, and microbial load. Under current conditions, it is discarded without treatment or reuse, creating a dual impact: pressure on water sources and the generation of potentially polluting liquid waste.
To solve this, a reuse system will be installed to treat the effluent directly. The system includes physical solid separation, tangential microfiltration, and an advanced oxidation process (without chlorine), guaranteeing water quality that meets industrial standards. The system is automated, with sensors monitoring turbidity, flow, temperature, and other parameters. All data are uploaded to a digital platform to ensure traceability, quality control, and external validation.
The solution is modular and can be scaled according to production needs. It is installed without interrupting current operations and functions as a bypass. This flexibility allows it to be replicated in other agro-food processing lines.
Thanks to this intervention, more than 70% of freshwater intake is expected to be reduced, with recovery rates of 85–90%, eliminating effluent discharge and closing the water cycle. The project also meets the criteria of additionality (it would not occur without the intervention), permanence (maintained over time with routine maintenance), and traceability (digital monitoring and external validation), as required by the VWBA 2.0 methodology.
This project not only reduces water consumption and improves operational efficiency, but also positions the company as a leader in water sustainability in a critically affected region and strengthens its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean water, industrial innovation, circular economy, and climate action.
