There is another side to the water issue. Read the following story from our neighbors in Shakopee.

Flushing out the whole story

Minnesota Corn Growers dissolve myths on ethanol water usage

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (February 21, 2008) Recent reports on water usage by the ethanol industry need an airing out, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) said today. Like most industries, ethanol processing requires water, the Association said, but this requirement should be viewed within the larger context of water consumption by other activities.

“In 2005, Minnesota’s ethanol industry used less than two-tenths of one percent of all water used in the state,” said Roger Moore, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. “At the same time, the Twin Cities Metro area used as much water in two days as all of the ethanol plants in the state use in one year.”

When the facts are put into perspective, it is easy to see that the ethanol industry use of water is much less than other common commodities and uses. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that it takes:

2– 3 Gallons of Water to produce 1 Gallon of Ethanol
Versus …

9.3 gallons of water – one can of vegetables
16.6 gallons of water – one pound of beet sugar
24 gallons of water – one pound of plastic
44 gallons of water – one gallon of refined crude oil
1,500 gallons of water – one barrel of beer
2,075 gallons of water – 4 tires
107,000 gallons of water – average home use in one year
Water is also used in such recreational things as golf courses, where about 680,000 gallons of water are consumed annually to irrigate just one acre of a golf course. Compare this to less than 4 percent of Minnesota field corn that is being irrigated.

Water usage by ethanol plants is expected to continue to drop, as new technologies come on board. Already, many plants discharge little or no wastewater, with the biggest water loss coming from water that remains with the leftover mash that is in turn fed to livestock.

“Farmers and other owners of renewable energy production in Minnesota employ state-of-the art technology to make water use as efficient as possible,” said Moore. “No one is more concerned about conserving resources than the farmer-owned bio fuels industry.”

Though concerns have been raised that ethanol plants may drain ground water from aquifers, the truth is that only one incident has been reported in Minnesota where an aquifer was drawn down faster than expected. In response, the plant accelerated plans to construct a pipeline and filtration system, and the aquifer has been recharging itself.

“The good news is that much of ethanol’s water needs can be met with appropriate planning,” said Dr. Dennis Keeney, in a 2006 Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy report. “The ethanol industry is committed to judicious water use,” added Moore.

About Minnesota Corn Growers Association
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) founded in 1978, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2008. MCGA is a membership-based organization with more than 5,900 members making it the second largest state corn growers organization in the nation. MCGA is dedicated to promoting and creating opportunities for Minnesota corn farmers while enhancing quality of life. Additional information can be obtained at www.mncorn.org.

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Mark Hamerlinck
Communications Director
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
952-233-0333
hamerlinck@mncorn.org