A flood of financial and operational benefits awaits dairy processors that take aggressive steps to control escalating wastewater generation and energy use. Indeed, with water and energy accounting for a significant portion of production expenses, astute handling of such elements can result in extensive cost savings and plant efficiencies, analysts state.

Poor management of leaks, old infrastructure, lack of knowledge about the efficient use of water, and even a plant’s operational culture are major causes of excessive wastewater and energy expenditures, says Brett Robison, strategic business director for Kurita America. The St. Michael, Minn.-based company is a provider of water treatment equipment, technologies, chemistries, and engineering services. He notes that many operators “either are too conservative around utilization of reuse water or haven’t looked at technology options in the recent past to understand what options they may have.”