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Dairy Processing

Wastewater Contaminant Loads –  One of the Key Challenges Facing the Dairy Industry

Dairy processing operations contribute a wide range of wastewater contaminant loads with a high concentration of organic matter. Normal dairy operations include rinsing, cleaning and sanitizing of tanks and product transport lines, equipment start-up, product change over and loss during filling operations. All of these procedures contribute to the contaminant load, which contains a high concentration of fat, protein, lactose, lactic acid, detergents and sanitizers.

Dairy Waste & Contaminants

  • Proteins
  • Lactose
  • Fat
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorous
  • Chloride
  • BOD
  • COD

Regional considerations for treating wastewater

The location of your dairy processing facility directly impacts how you treat your process wastewater. In the Midwest, phosphorous and nitrogen removal are concerns, especially where facilities discharge their effluent directly into a body of water under DNR regulatory compliance. On the west coast and other drought areas of the country, water consumption and sodium levels are primary concerns. As facilities focus on achieving water savings goals, the reduction in process water used leads to increased contaminant loads in wastewater.

Benefits of working with DMP Corporation to solve wastewater challenges in the dairy industry

DMP will work with your facility to understand your process and identify your specific contaminant contributors to the wastewater stream. In addition to that, DMP will work with you to understand constraints from your local POTW and DNR to address regulatory compliance issues. This includes looking at alternative water discharge opportunities and optimizing sludge disposal.

At DMP, we can create a solution that’s both compliant and cost-effective. We begin with an assessment of your facility’s processes to observe your flow cycle and test water samples. We then create an individualized solution for your unique situation—one that uses the right technology for your problems within your budget. Our modular solutions are guaranteed to keep you in compliance.

Most importantly, with the varying nature of the dairy industry and the wide range of products produced, we include our Performance Guarantee Program to make us 100% accountable for any design flaws in our solutions. That’s truly taking the worry out of wastewater.

Composition of avg. wastewater / effluent obtained in a dairy plant

S.No Constituents Cheese plant Milk receiving and pasteurization section Casein plant Butter, Butteroil and ghee section Pooled Dairy Effluent
1 Total solids 2250 3620 650 3400 1650
2 Color White White Clear Brown White
3 Chlorides 100 95 70 100 115
4 Volatile solids 25 75 55 65 60
5 Suspended solids 600 1300 100 2200 650
6 Phosphates 12 10 5 2 10
7 pH 6.7 8.2 7.7 7.1 6.1
8 Calcium carbonate 480 500 460 420 530
9 Absorbed oxygen 480 400 10 85 —
10 BOD 2150 1620 200 1250 810
11 COD 3130 2600 370 3200 1340
12 Oil and Grease 520 690 — 1320 290
13 COD:BOD 1.46 1.43 1.85 2.56 1.65
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