Water re-use guide for dairies

A set of guidelines into water re-use at dairy manufacturing plants has been prepared by Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd (DIAL). The guidelines identify water sources and quality within dairy factories and matches these with possible uses.

It covers various levels of water treatment, taking into account microbial risks and HACCP analysis.

Dairy manufacturing generates non-potable water as a by-product of equipment rinsing, evaporation and membrane processes. While much of this water is recycled on or off site, there is potential to increase the amount recycled on site and curb potable water use.

Initiatives already underway within the industry include improved measurement, installation of water-saving equipment, optimising clean-in-place (CIP) processes and employee education.

Recovered water is typically available from several areas of dairy processing operations such as evaporator condensate, CIP final rinse, intermediate product flush water, reverse osmosis permeate and crate washing.

It can be used in a variety of applications such as boiler feed water, washdown water, in the tanker bay and as pump seal water. It can be used as CIP make-up water and cooling tower make-up. Some plants may use it for farm irrigation or grant it to the community to water golf courses, school ovals or wetlands.