<< The Environment

Eden Reduces Water Usage & Wastewater

In an effort to reduce water usage and wastewater, our Eden, WI facility has exceeded expectations. This year focus was on wastewater to reduce dependency on the 3-series lagoon system. With everyone's efforts, wastewater was reduced by over 43%!

How did they do it?

• By replacing 14 sprays on blancher return tanks and 16 sprays on the pea receiving return tank, water usage was reduced from 1.2 - 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to .49 gpm! This drastically reduced water usage and prevented 1,836,903 gallons of water from entering into the lagoon system.
• Ten sprays were replaced on the corn dewatering reel tank, with seven sprays with less pounds per square inch (psi). Water was reduced from 1.2 gpm to .28 gpm, or a total savings of 756,444 gallons during corn production.
• Water used for the color sorters' cameras was rerouted; further reducing 856,800 gallons from entering the lagoon system. A closed loop system is being considered to further reduce overall water usage.
• Reduced and replaced 16 sprays, added 100 mesh strainers and water pressure regulators on pea receiving washers. This added to another savings of 759,687 gallons of water.

The items needed to complete the projects listed above cost Lakeside a little over $2,000 to purchase and install. The savings does not stop at overall water usage and wastewater treatment though. It has decreased the amount of expensive chemicals needed for the pre-treatment of wastewater in the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) unit. In addition, energy savings are found by reducing the amount of water pumped, and lagoon aeration that adds dissolved oxygen. Finally, a reduction of wear and tear on pumps and motors will be an added benefit as well as a reduced dependency on the village wastewater treatment plant.