Case Study Summary: Industrial Wastewater Treatment - Oregon Cherry Growers (Cherries, Pears, and Hazelnuts)
Challenge:
Oregon Cherry Growers, a large cherry farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, faced critical issues with their wastewater treatment system due to production expansion:
- Odor Complaints: Pungent odors from the storage lagoons disrupted the community, leading to neighbor complaints.
- Regulatory Threats: Excessive odors from land-applied sludge and spray irrigation resulted in OR EPA threats to shut down operations.
- Sludge Build-Up: Frequent dredging was required due to sludge accumulation, increasing operational costs.
Treatment Plan:
SciCorp engineers quickly developed a tailored solution:
- Shock Dose Application: BIOLOGIC™ SEPTIC was immediately applied over the lagoon surface to eliminate odors.
- Ongoing Treatment: Continuous dosing of BIOLOGIC™ SEPTIC during land application of sludge and spray irrigation.
Success Achieved:
With the application of BIOLOGIC™ SEPTIC, Oregon Cherry Growers experienced the following results:
- Immediate Elimination of Odors: The lagoon odors disappeared within hours of treatment, satisfying the OR EPA.
- Odor Reduction: 90% reduction in storage lagoon odors and 95% reduction in odors during land application and spray irrigation.
- Sludge Reduction: A 30% reduction in sludge depth in the lagoons.
- Avoided Shutdown: Oregon Cherry avoided a costly facility shutdown, regulatory fines, and future dredging expenses.
Long-Term Benefits:
The solution also provided a significant reduction in their environmental footprint and improved community relations.
How This Benefits Your Septic System:
For home septic systems, BIOLOGIC™ SEPTIC provides similar benefits by:
- Eliminating odors quickly and efficiently
- Reducing sludge buildup, extending the time between pump-outs
- Minimizing maintenance costs
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