Wastewater Treatment in the Dairy Industry

The Dairy Industry

Dairy processing facilities often produce wastewater rich in organic matter, nutrients, and other pollutants that can harm aquatic ecosystems and impact operational processes if left untreated. Effective treatment for these facilities is critical for environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and streamlined operations. That’s where USP Technologies can help.

Common Wastewater Pollutants in the Dairy Industry

Identifying and understanding the key contaminants in dairy wastewater is the first step towards choosing the right treatment strategy. Some of the most common concerns when it comes to dairy plant effluent include:

• High BOD and COD
  • Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) refer to the amounts of oxygen required for organic matter to decompose.
  • Potential sources: Milk solids, lactose, and organic compounds
  • Impact: Overloads biological systems, reduces treatment efficiency, and depletes oxygen in water bodies, harming aquatic life
• Nutrients
  • Oftentimes, dairy plant effluent contains excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, that can lead to reduced oxygen levels in water bodies and potentially harm biological processes.
  • Potential sources: Milk and chemical agents
  • Impact: While nutrients provide essential elements for microbes, excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms that can reduce oxygen levels and inhibit biological processes.
• Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
  • Potential sources: Milk fat and butter production
  • Impact: FOG can cause blockages in wastewater systems, leading to high COD and corrosion. Undigested fats also foster the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which can contribute to odor problems.
• Cleaning and Treatment Chemicals
  • While wastewater treatment is essential to preparing effluent to leave the plant, several of these chemical agents can create byproducts or other impacts, like pH adjustment, that can disrupt biological processes.
  • Potential sources: Cleaning chemicals used in wastewater, like caustics, acids, and disinfectants.
  • Impact: Can alter the pH in wastewater and harm biological processes. In some instances, phosphorus-based cleaners lead to eutrophication, which can create algal blooms and cause oxygen depletion.
• Suspended Solids
  • TSS or Total Suspended Solids are often higher in dairy plant effluent
  • Potential sources: Milk solids, cheese curd, and whey are primary examples of solids.
  • Impact: A significant amount of total suspended solids in wastewater can contribute to high BOD and COD and overload treatment systems.

When biological treatment processes are compromised due to the large volumes of pollutants, chemical solutions offer a great alternative. USP Technologies develops tailored wastewater treatment programs for dairy production and processing facilities, helping to ensure efficient and effective wastewater treatment.

Why Partner with USP Technologies?

USP Technologies offers a wide range of full-service wastewater treatment solutions for industrial facilities, including dairy production and processing facilities. At USP Technologies, we are proud to offer:

• Decades of industry experience: Our team of experts has decades of industry experience in wastewater treatment, allowing us to provide thoughtful recommendations based on your unique needs.
• Full-service solutions: We offer full-service wastewater chemical treatment solutions and can support you every step of the way – from assessment to implementation and long-term management.
• Collaborative problem-solving approach: At USP Technologies, we know that one size does not fit all. We work side-by-side with our customers to deliver programs that truly work – for your operations, your budget, and your long-term success.

Reliable Wastewater Treatment Solutions from USP Technologies

We understand that efficient and effective wastewater treatment is a huge undertaking for commercial and industrial manufacturing facilities. Implementing proper treatment solutions is vital to environmental protection and industry compliance. Let us help do the heavy lifting. With over 25 years of industry-leading expertise, USP Technologies can help develop a solution that works for your business. Connect with our experts to learn more about how we can support your facility.