Industrial water and effluent management in the milk processing industry

Abstract

One of the most important commodities used in any food-processing industry is water which must be of the right quality. Water which comes into direct contact with milk or milk products must meet standards which are even stricter than those for a normal drinking-water supply. The water used in the milk processing leaves the plant as polluted effluent and, especially during the flush season, the amount of milk-solids flushed into the drain can reach alarming proportions. Effluents containing milk-solids exert a strong demand for oxygen on the surface waters that receive them. Milk solids deplete the water of oxygen causing anaerobic conditions, smell and fly-nuisance. Particularly in areas of dolomitic or shale rock strata the discharge of milk effluents constitutes a hazard as pollution of underground water may occur through cracks by channelling.