|
In 1999, Texas Instruments (TI) faced
a challenge of meeting increased water quality standards
affecting heavy metal discharges while reducing operating
costs at its Sensors and Controls Division manufacturing
plant in Attleboro, Massachusetts. TI met this challenge
using a comprehensive water reduction strategy. Point-of-use
water reduction efforts throughout the plant lowered
treated wastewater discharges from 175 million gallons
per year (MGPY) to less than 50 MGPY. In addition, treatment
plant modifications were implemented that allowed all
treated wastewater to go to the city's publicly owned
treatment works (POTW) instead of being discharged into
the local watershed headwaters. Cooperation with local
and federal regulatory agencies, in the form of various
agreements and flexible permits, enabled TI to make
the change over, reducing costs and improving local
water quality.

|