Protection of water resources

The production activities of JSC "BSС" are characterized by high water consumption and are directly linked to the use of water resources for both water supply and wastewater disposal. The production of soda ash is the most water-intensive process. JSC "BSС" provides water to the entire industrial site in the city, as well as supplying the local population with drinking water.

JSC "BSС" conducts its water consumption and wastewater disposal operations in accordance with the necessary permits and authorizations, including subsoil use licenses, water use agreements, official decisions granting the right to use water bodies, established maximum permissible discharge limits, and permits for the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.

In its operations, JSC "BSС" adheres to energy-saving principles; the company’s policy is focused on reducing water resource consumption and preserving biological resources.

Key areas of the water resource conservation policy include:

● Scientific research, studies, and monitoring, as well as the reconstruction of existing water intake facilities, aimed at improving the quality of water drawn from surface and underground sources for both the company’s own needs and those of other local industrial enterprises;

 ● Implementing the return of treated wastewater into the production process;

 ● Reducing the total mass of pollutants discharged into water bodies through the modernization of existing wastewater treatment plants, as well as the technical upgrading and modernization of the company’s core production facilities;

 ● Investigating deep underground horizons for the purpose of injecting industrial wastewater—a measure aimed at reducing the discharge of pollutants into surface water bodies;

 ● Optimizing the company’s water circulation system and implementing the reuse of water within production processes;

 ● Conducting surveys of the Belaya River basin;

 ● Processing wastewater from soda production (distiller liquid) to recover and produce marketable products. The most promising avenue is the use of the clarified portion of the distillation residue (distiller’s liquid) for the production of granulated calcium chloride.

In 2022, compared to 2021:

 - water consumption for production needs decreased by 9,434.74 thousand m³ (by 7.7%);

 - the volume of wastewater discharged into water bodies decreased by 4,126.35 thousand m³ (by 5%).

Measures for the protection of water resources

Filtration of brine purification sludge

Processing of distillation residue (distiller’s liquid)