Opportunities for iron and steel industrial wastewater treatment and reuse in the United States

Sharma, Naushita; Lemar Jr., Paul; Nimbalkar, Sachin

doi:10.1016/j.wri.2025.100298

Opportunities for iron and steel industrial wastewater treatment and reuse in the United States

Journal Article · Sat Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Water Resources and Industry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2025.100298· OSTI ID:2573095

^[1]; Lemar Jr., Paul ^[1]; ^[1]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Concerns around water security in the United States have heightened the interest in industrial water treatment and reuse to improve water efficiency and operational reliability. Alongside nationwide efforts to expand industrial capacity, primary manufacturing sectors are adopting more resource-efficient technologies. This transition is expected to shift industrial water consumption patterns, driving the need for improved treatment and reuse practices. This study investigates opportunities for water use, treatment, and reuse in the iron and steel sector through a review of academic and industry literature and interviews with industry representatives. It identifies key challenges in water and wastewater management and outlines the conditions under which innovative treatment technologies could be deployed. Based on these insights, the study presents a practical water management action plan. Furthermore, it assesses water quality targets across different process operations, evaluates existing treatment technologies, and highlights challenges and opportunities for improvement relative to future performance expectations. Although water is often perceived as a low-cost commodity, industry feedback suggests that improvements in water use and treatment efficiency are typically prioritized only when they also reduce energy use, carbon emissions, or costs. This study advocates for a direct two-way partnership between industry and research audiences to bring their attention toward sustainable industrial water use, treatment, and reuse.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2573095

Journal Information:: Water Resources and Industry, Journal Name: Water Resources and Industry Vol. 34; ISSN 2212-3717

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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