Sugar beet plant aims to reduce water use

Southern Alberta Newspapers

New recovery and conservation equipment could save 35 million litres of “fresh” water each year at the Lantic Sugar beet plant in Taber.

The company cites the figure in its annual “sustainability” report for 2023, published last month, and describes work done last year to capture condensation, recycle cooling water, minimize fresh water used in beet washing and fix leaks.

Those could lead to an estimated savings of 35,000 cubic metres of water at the facility, compared to a total use from the company’s eight Rogers Sugar and maple syrup processing plants of 30 million cubic metres.

“Rogers recognizes that water is a scarce resource that needs to be managed responsibly,” the report reads. “All Rogers’ production sites strive to reduce water use through water recycling and water conservation initiatives.”

It outlines that the company considers water supply risk at the southern Alberta plant and among its growers in the region as generally “low-medium” but that could be heightened this year.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging relevant stakeholders necessary to ensure any potential risk is mitigated,” it concludes.