WaterHub® at Reynolds: A Landmark in Industrial Water Recycling and Sustainability
H2O Innovation Inc. (“H2O Innovation” or the “Corporation”) proudly marked a transformative moment in industrial sustainability with the official opening on April 22nd of the WaterHub® facility at the Reynolds Operations Center in Tobaccoville, North Carolina. This pioneering initiative is not just a milestone for the Corporation and its partners, but a beacon for the broader industrial sector seeking to enhance environmental performance while reducing operational reliance on potable water.
The WaterHub® represents a bold step forward in redefining how water is managed and recycled in industrial contexts. Designed and built in collaboration with Reynolds American Inc. (a member of the global BAT Group), the facility introduces a powerful and scalable model for closed-loop water systems that prioritize both efficiency and ecological responsibility. With the ability to recycle more than 60 million gallons of water annually, the WaterHub® will enable Reynolds to cut water withdrawal at its operations center by approximately 40%, while simultaneously reducing wastewater discharge by over 90%. These achievements reflect a level of environmental stewardship that is not only impressive but increasingly necessary as water stress becomes a defining challenge of our time.
Engineering Sustainability: Inside the WaterHub®
Spanning approximately 5,000 square feet, the WaterHub® is a testament to how cutting-edge engineering and ecological principles can be fused into a single, high-impact solution. It incorporates a range of technologies that work in concert to treat and recycle wastewater from the facility’s manufacturing operations. This includes a wastewater intercept and lift station, over 2,500 linear feet of underground piping, and integration with existing site infrastructure to facilitate the movement of water with minimal disruption.
At the heart of the facility is a unique hybrid treatment system that marries natural and mechanical processes. Biological treatment processes involving microbial communities are paired with a constructed ecosystem of plants, functioning similarly to a natural wetland. These are complemented by advanced membrane filtration systems and disinfection units, ensuring the treated water meets stringent quality standards for reuse.
This system is not only highly effective but also optimized for energy efficiency, with a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional wastewater treatment facilities. It also boasts low biosolid production and odor emissions, enhancing its integration within a working industrial campus. What’s more, the facility includes architectural features—most notably a two-story greenhouse—that not only house parts of the treatment system but also contribute to the visual appeal and community visibility of the project.
Building Biodiversity and Community Pride
The WaterHub® is not merely a utility—it is a living showcase of environmental innovation. Adjacent to the treatment facility is a 1,300-square-foot native garden, cultivated with more than 400 plants representing 24 different species indigenous to the region. This space serves multiple purposes: enhancing the site’s biodiversity, providing educational opportunities, and promoting ecological awareness among employees, visitors, and the broader community.
This sustainable landscape is irrigated using reclaimed water produced by the WaterHub®, completing the cycle of water reuse and further demonstrating the practical benefits of advanced water treatment. The garden and surrounding installations also serve as an outdoor classroom of sorts, providing a tangible, visible example of how industry and nature can coexist and even support one another.
Beyond its technical merits, the WaterHub® stands as a model for corporate transparency and engagement. It brings often hidden processes—like wastewater treatment—into public view, showcasing them in a way that encourages appreciation rather than avoidance. By placing sustainability at the forefront of its operations, Reynolds is also fostering a corporate culture rooted in responsibility, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Global Impact Through Local Action
The benefits of the WaterHub® are not confined to the Reynolds Operations Center alone. This initiative supports broader goals set by the global BAT Group to reduce water consumption across its global footprint. By slashing potable water use at this key facility, Reynolds anticipates contributing to an approximate 6% reduction in total water withdrawal across BAT’s global operations—a striking impact from a single, well-designed facility.
This move also underscores a shift in how industries are beginning to approach water use. No longer seen as merely a utility input, water is being increasingly recognized as a shared and finite resource requiring careful management. Facilities like the WaterHub® embody this emerging ethos of “water positivity”—a concept in which organizations strive not just to reduce their water impact, but to give more back to the environment and surrounding communities than they take.
Leadership Statements: Vision and Commitment
“Yesterday marked a significant milestone in Reynolds’ sustainability journey and demonstrates our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bernd Meyer, Executive Vice President of Operations at Reynolds. “With the WaterHub® now operational, we expect to reduce water withdrawn at the Reynolds Operations Center by more than 40%, which in turn is anticipated to reduce water withdrawn across the global BAT Group by approximately 6%. This is not just a win for us—it’s a win for our communities and for the planet.”
Guillaume Clairet, Chief Operating Officer at H2O Innovation, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader potential of the project. “The WaterHub® is a prime example of how innovation can advance both sustainability and resilience,” Clairet said. “By supporting partners like Reynolds in conserving water and achieving their environmental goals, we’re proud to play a role in their journey toward water positivity. Together, we are not only conserving water but also redefining how industries can operate sustainably in harmony with the environment.”
A Model for the Future
The WaterHub® at Reynolds is more than a facility—it’s a vision of what responsible industrial operations can look like in the 21st century. As climate change accelerates and water scarcity intensifies, businesses will increasingly be called upon to do more with less, to innovate responsibly, and to serve as stewards of the natural systems they depend on.
By embracing that challenge and delivering measurable, replicable solutions, H2O Innovation and Reynolds are setting a powerful precedent. The WaterHub® shows that sustainability isn’t a compromise—it’s an advantage. It can be an engine of resilience, a source of community pride, and a cornerstone of business success.
As companies across sectors explore ways to meet climate and sustainability targets, the WaterHub® offers an inspiring blueprint for action. Its blend of ecological sensitivity, technical sophistication, and corporate vision presents a compelling case for the future of industrial water management—one that is regenerative, inclusive, and boldly committed to the health of the planet.
