| Abstract: | The present and estimated future use of water in England and Wales is compared with available resources. Use is overtaking easily available supply. The changes in procurement of water and disposal of effluent implied in recent legislation (setting up River Authorities and the Water Resources Board) are discussed, particularly as they are likely to affect the dyeing industry. The quality of water for use in the dyeworks is discussed in terms of dissolved and suspended impurities; and the methods available for the control of the effects on the dyeing process of ionic solutes, residual hardness, heavy metals, and bicarbonate are summarised. The problems of disposal of dyeworks' effluent are considered in so far as they impinge on national water-management policy. Savings in the cost of effluent treatment may be possible in an integrated textile industry where all processes, including disposal, are considered together in planning. Instances of process modification to avoid effluent-disposal problems are cited. |
