Water Usage
The amount of water used in processing depends strongly on the type of processing. Wet fully washed processing of the coffee cherries requires the most fresh water, dry processing the least. Sources indicate a wide range in water use. Recycling of water in the de-pulping process can drastically reduce the amount needed. With reuse and improved washing techniques, up to 1 to 6 m³ water per tonne of fresh coffee cherry is achievable; without reuse a consumption of up to 20m³/tonne is possible.
| Country | Process | Water use m³/tonne cherry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Semi-washed, wet processing | 3 | |
| Kenya | Fully washed, reuse of water | 4-6 | |
| Colombia | Fully washed and environmental processing (BECOLSUB) | 1-6 | |
| Papua New Guinea | Fully washed, recycling use of water | 4-8 | |
| Vietnam | Semi wet and fully washed | 4-15 | |
| Vietnam | Traditional, fully washed | 20 | |
| India | Traditional, fully washed | 14-17 | |
| Brazil | Semi-washed, mechanical demucilage | 4 | |
| Mexico | Semi-washed, mechanical demucilage | 3.4 | |
| Nicaragua | Traditional, fully washed | 16 | |
| Nicaragua | Fully washed, reuse of water | 11 |
Read more about this topic: Coffee Wastewater
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