Dairy Factory Water Reuse Solution

Small- to medium-sized dairy factories typically generate 30–150 kL/day of high-strength wastewater containing fats, proteins, emulsified dairy solids, lactose, detergents, and bacterial loads. Most sites utilize Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) as the core primary treatment step. While DAF is excellent at removing fats and solids, it does not effectively address dissolved organics, odour, surfactants, or microbial risks.

By implementing our advanced oxidation process (AOP) with the OHX system, followed by our integrated polishing system post-DAF, dairy factories can reclaim treated water for potential reuse in various applications such as:

- Internal cleaning & wash-down

- CIP pre-rinse or intermediate rinse

- Cooling tower make-up

- Irrigation and landscaping

- Construction and dust suppression water (onselling)

This innovation transforms wastewater from a continuous disposal cost into a valuable internal resource.

One module of this modular system treats a 50 kL/day side-stream, enabling dairy factories to reclaim approximately 18 million litres of high-quality water per year—without disrupting existing DAF or lagoon infrastructure.

Estimated Financial Gains (18 ML/year Case)*

- Treatment Capacity: 50 kL/day (18 ML/year)

- System CapEx: ~$110,000 (skid mounted, installed)

- Annual OpEx: ~$5,000/year

Annual Savings / Value:

- Fresh water replacement: $45,000

- Reduced trade-waste/discharge costs: $8,000

- Reduced lagoon load/odour: $3,000

Total Annual Benefit: $56,000

Net Annual Benefit (after OpEx): $51,000*

Payback Period: ~2.1 years

10-Year Net Benefit: Over $500,000*

*Estimated costs and earnings are based on one particular dairy factory's case. Yours may vary! It could be more or less, so to determine the specifics, get in touch.