The issue of water resources is becoming ever more serious as water use increases due to the growing world population and economic development. Plants producing Nissan vehicles and parts are located all over the world, and they all use water as part of the production process. We are making efforts to manage and reduce water usage at all of our production plants. We plan to achieve a 15% reduction from fiscal 2010 levels in water usage per vehicle produced by fiscal 2016.
We carry out water-use assessments on an ongoing basis at all plants. Based on a Nissan-developed index of water risks, plants are categorized into three levels. Level A is defined as plants that either already have a water-related issue or are expected to f ace one in the near future; Level B as plants with potential water problems; and Level C as plants at low water risk. We are working to put in place activities matched to the conditions at each plant. We set water use targets for Level A plants in Australia, India, China and Mexico and began activities to reduce water use in fiscal 2011, and in Spain, Egypt and South Africa in fiscal 2012.
Cleaner Effluent Through Wastewater Treatment
Nissan thoroughly processes wastewater and reuses water within its operations to reduce water usage. At the Chennai Plant in India, processed water is reused in a closed-loop recycling system rather than discharged. Wastewater from the company’s Aguascalientes Plant in Mexico is used to maintain greenery on the site, with no off-site discharge. Nissan is also strengthening water pollution measures in its Japanese plants. In preparation for unexpected occurrences, such as the discharge of oil, it has attached water quality sensors to the discharge ports of wastewater treatment facilities. Discharge of water outside the grounds is automatically suspended if water quality problems are detected.
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