GM North America
In 2005, GM reduced water usage by 4.05 percent compared to 2004, using 37.6 million cubic meters. GM's target was to reduce water use by 15 percent between 2000 and 2005. This target was successfully completed by December 2004, when a 16.1 percent reduction in water use was realized over 2000 levels.
In 2006, GMNA set a new target to reduce water use by 20 percent between 2005 and 2010.
At the Janesville Assembly facility in Wisconsin, a cooling tower was installed for eight large powerhouse air compressors and brought on-line in January 2005. This has resulted in a water savings of over 92 million U.S. gallons through April 2005, over 2004 consumption. This corresponds to a similar reduction in discharge volume to the Rock River.
GM Canada
GM Canada Ltd. (GMCL) decreased its water usage by 5.20 percent compared to 2004, using 4,684 million cubic meters. GMCL has continued to work to reduce water consumption with the implementation of various water saving projects.
GM of Mexico
GM Mexico (GMM) decreased water use in 2005 by 3.054 percent compared to 2004. GMM is well known for its efficient water use, using only half the volume of water required per vehicle compared to average U.S. automotive manufacturing plants.
The Ramos Arizpe complex has a near total water reuse process where only 15 percent of water used is discharged. The Silao Complex set an aggressive ISO14001 goal to reduce water consumption by 15 percent per unit of production from a 2002 base year. The project used flow meters, reuse of non-potable water, and potable water savings and, to date, has reduced water usage by 0.73 cubic meters per vehicle or the equivalent of 192 U.S. gallons per vehicle. With the plant assembling over 200,000 vehicles per year, that means that they save at least 4 million gallons of water each year.
The Toluca Complex achieved an average 12 percent reduction in fresh water rights costs as a government incentive because of its excellent wastewater treatment programs that exceed compliance requirements.
