Abstract This communication describes a project concerning the minimization of water use and wastewater contaminant load in an industrial setting. The location was a plant manufacturing cast aluminum parts for the automotive industry. The water used for industrial purposes was some 16 000 m 3 /yr with COD values sometimes higher than 5000 mg O 2 /l. After a preliminary assessment, a global reduction in industrial water consumption of 33%, by means of re-circulation of the aqueous solution used for de-molding was achieved, implying a 95% reduction in de-molding solution. To minimize water use even further, recommendations to the company included a revision of the refrigeration closed-circuit and a better control of water used for general services.