Using Treated Wastewater for Landscape Irrigation at Our Headquarters

Water is an essential resource for healthy landscapes, productive communities, and resilient agricultural operations. At our headquarters, we are applying a practical approach to water stewardship by using treated wastewater for landscape irrigation where appropriate.

This practice gives water a beneficial second use after it has passed through a treatment process. It also supports responsible grounds management by reducing reliance on potable water for non-drinking purposes, while maintaining the outdoor spaces that welcome employees, visitors, and community partners.

The initiative reflects Fresh Del Monte Produce’s broader commitment to environmental protection and efficient resource use. It is part of the work described through our CSR platform, where we share sustainability priorities and progress across our global operations.

Turning Used Water Into A Resource

Treated wastewater, sometimes called reclaimed or recycled water, is water that has been processed to remove contaminants and meet defined quality requirements. Once treated to the applicable standard, it can be directed toward approved non-potable uses, including irrigation, industrial processes, and other applications that do not require drinking-water quality.

At headquarters, the water is used for landscape irrigation rather than being discharged after a single cycle. This approach helps extend the useful life of existing water supplies. It also demonstrates how facilities can incorporate circular resource practices into routine operations without changing the purpose of the landscape.

The reuse system is designed around suitable plantings, irrigation zones, and operational controls. Applying reclaimed water to lawns, trees, shrubs, and other vegetation requires attention to soil conditions, drainage, weather, and the specific needs of each planted area.

Protecting Potable Water Supplies

Landscape irrigation can represent a meaningful share of a facility’s outdoor water demand. Using treated wastewater for this purpose helps reserve potable supplies for drinking, food preparation, hygiene, and other uses that require a higher level of treatment.

The benefits extend beyond reduced drinking-water consumption. Reusing water can lessen demand on municipal or local freshwater sources, particularly during dry periods. It can also reduce the volume of treated effluent entering receiving systems when the reclaimed water is safely used on site.

Water conservation is most effective when reuse is paired with efficient irrigation. Scheduling can account for rainfall, temperature, seasonal plant needs, and soil moisture. Drip irrigation, targeted spray patterns, leak detection, and regular equipment maintenance can further limit runoff and unnecessary application.

How The Irrigation System Is Managed

Safe reuse depends on the quality of the treated water and the way it is handled after treatment. The system must follow applicable public health, environmental, and local regulatory requirements. Clear separation from potable-water infrastructure is also important, with appropriate signage, controls, and backflow prevention.

Operational teams can support reliability through routine inspections and documented procedures. These may include checking storage areas, pumps, valves, irrigation lines, and connections; reviewing water-quality information; and responding promptly to equipment issues or unusual conditions.

The landscape itself provides useful feedback. Excessive runoff, pooling, plant stress, soil salt accumulation, or irregular coverage can indicate that irrigation settings need adjustment. Monitoring these signs helps teams use reclaimed water carefully while protecting soil, vegetation, nearby waterways, and the people who use the grounds.

Supporting Healthy Landscapes Responsibly

A well-managed landscape can provide shade, improve the appearance of a workplace, support employee well-being, and contribute to local habitat. Maintaining these benefits with treated wastewater makes outdoor stewardship more resource-conscious.

Plant selection is an important part of the approach. Native and climate-appropriate species generally have a better chance of thriving under local conditions and may require less irrigation once established. Grouping plants with similar water needs also makes it easier to apply the right amount of water to each zone.

Responsible landscape care includes more than keeping plants green. Soil health, mulch, drainage, pruning, pest management, and protection of mature trees all influence how efficiently water is used. These practices can reduce evaporation and help landscapes remain resilient during periods of heat or limited rainfall.

Linking Facility Actions To Broader Goals

The headquarters program illustrates how sustainability can be integrated into everyday business operations. Water reuse is a facility-level action, yet it connects with wider goals related to resource efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term resilience.

Fresh Del Monte Produce operates across regions with different climates, water conditions, and regulatory frameworks. For that reason, effective water stewardship must be adaptable. A solution that works at a headquarters location may need different technology, controls, or plant choices at an agricultural site or processing facility.

The underlying principles remain consistent: understand local water risks, follow applicable standards, prevent pollution, use water efficiently, and measure performance where reliable data are available. Sharing lessons across locations can help teams identify practical improvements while respecting local conditions.

Transparent reporting also gives stakeholders a clearer view of how sustainability priorities are being put into practice. Facility initiatives such as reclaimed-water irrigation can complement broader efforts involving sustainable sourcing, protected land, tree planting, and community education.

Practices That Strengthen Water Reuse

Effective reclaimed-water irrigation combines infrastructure, oversight, and informed landscape management. The following practices help maintain a safe and efficient program:

• Use treated wastewater only for approved non-potable applications and comply with all relevant requirements.
• Keep reclaimed-water and potable-water systems clearly separated, labeled, and protected against backflow.
• Adjust irrigation schedules according to rainfall, soil moisture, temperature, and seasonal plant demand.
• Inspect irrigation equipment regularly for leaks, blocked emitters, runoff, or uneven coverage.
• Select climate-appropriate plants and improve soil condition to reduce long-term water demand.

Employee awareness supports these technical measures. Grounds teams, facilities personnel, contractors, and other relevant users should understand where reclaimed water is used and which procedures apply. Clear communication helps prevent accidental contact, improper connections, and confusion during maintenance.

Performance review can strengthen the program over time. Useful indicators may include reclaimed-water volume, potable-water displacement, irrigation-system performance, landscape condition, and any maintenance or compliance events. Tracking these measures helps identify opportunities for greater efficiency while keeping safety at the center of operations.

Building A More Resilient Water Future

The use of treated wastewater for landscape irrigation at our headquarters shows how a familiar facility activity can support responsible resource management. Water that has already served one purpose can be treated, monitored, and redirected to sustain outdoor spaces, reducing the need for potable water.

This approach is one element of a broader sustainability strategy. Its value comes from combining water reuse with efficient irrigation, appropriate planting, careful monitoring, and transparent accountability. Together, these actions help create landscapes that are attractive, functional, and better aligned with local environmental needs.

Explore Fresh Del Monte Produce’s sustainability work and learn how responsible water management fits within our broader environmental commitments. Through continued collaboration, careful measurement, and practical innovation, we can advance resource conservation across the places where we operate.