As this demand for fashion continues to increase, the environmental impacts of the textile industry continue to escalate, with textiles becoming the second-largest producer of industrial wastewater after the agricultural sectors. Approximately 20% of the world’s industrial wastewater is produced by the textile industry due to the dyeing process used to create colourful fabrics and intricate designs – making the fashion industry responsible for using circa 79 trillion litres of water annually. In many instances, unwanted clothing will also end up discarded in landfills and it’s estimated as much as 92 million tons of clothing end up in landfills every year despite manufacturing capabilities to recycle textiles (though 20% of textiles are being collected for reuse, upcycling, or recycling as of 2023, however, the problems associated with waste and wastewater production continue to grow).

While these figures may sound extraordinarily high, the calculations include the supply chain alongside manufacturing, and the harvesting of materials such as cotton requires large amounts of water. For example, crafting one cotton t-shirt can require as much as 2,700 litres of water due to the amount of water required to grow and process cotton – and this high water requirement can carry detrimental environmental impacts as well as affect local communities and deplete essential water supplies. This is posing the greatest threats in countries such as China and India where the majority of clothing is produced, however, the US, Pakistan, and Turkey are also experiencing high levels of water stress.

Due to the vast amounts of wastewater generated by the textile industry, treatment solutions themselves are becoming more expensive, causing additional strain on manufacturers. However, eco-friendly wastewater solutions such as the LAT Unit which is powered by waste heat generated by other onsite processes are helping manufacturers reduce their costs (by as much as 70%!) and meet their regulatory obligations relating to safe water discharge. (Learn more about how we do it at this link.)

What is wastewater in fashion?

Wastewater in the fashion and textiles industry includes the journey from raw materials through to the end of production, however, most wastewater is generated during the following key processes:

• Cultivation: growing plants such as cotton is very water-intensive and its popularity across the fashion industry as the go-to natural material creates additional demand for cotton cultivation which has high irrigation requirements. Other plants used in the textiles industry include jute, nettle, bamboo, manila/abacá, and various other plant fibres.   

• Dyeing Process: while many different types of dyes are used to colour fabrics and some may be seen as better than others, the process of producing and using dyes is very chemical-heavy and can introduce harmful chemicals into water streams which causes contamination. 

• Textile Finishing: as the final stage of textile production, fabrics and textiles are usually softened so they can be more comfortable to wear or use, and they may also be made wrinkle-proof or reinforced to increase their longevity. These processes, much like the dyeing process, require large amounts of chemicals and water input, resulting in a large wastewater output that can include metals, detergents, and more.

What is the composition of wastewater in textile production?

While there will naturally be a level of variation across the fashion industry (and indeed from brand to brand), wastewater produced from textile production will on average have a higher pH value, contain a range of suspended solids (including microplastics from synthetic fibres), as well as manganese, chlorine, sodium, copper, iron, and more. Wastewater from the textile industry also usually has high BOD and COD values, with one research paper quoting values of 363 and 1781 mg/L respectively as an example of the types of values we can expect, however, higher and lower values are also very common. 

What are the biggest challenges associated with treating wastewater from the textile industry? 

The scale and complexity of textile industry wastewater present the biggest challenges as the diverse range of chemicals used in fabric production and the introduction of synthetic and man-made components make it difficult to assess the contents of wastewater – particularly at the speed at which production changes. 

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Treating Wastewater Produced By The Fashion Industry appeared first on LAT Water.

Industrial wastewater treatment plays a key role in a range of meat processing plants and business operations as it contributes to the high levels of sanitation we’ve come to associate with the manufacture of our food products. As processes will vary across red meats, poultry, and seafood, we will focus individual articles on each topic to cover the scope of each sector’s needs, however, we have previously covered how the meat industry can enhance sustainability in their processes, challenges associated with wastewater recycling, and how industrial wastewater treatment companies can help.

In addition to helping companies meet their environmental targets and legal discharge requirements, industrial wastewater treatment companies can also help meat and slaughterhouse businesses to become more sustainable and energy-efficient, as well as reduce their overall operational costs. Alongside this, by recovering resources from wastewater, such as minerals and biogas, businesses can even bring in new revenue streams as the recovered nutrients can be reused across the supply chain. Common uses include dewatered fertilisers, soil conditioners, and even fuel that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels (this method of energy conservation has been used for many years!).  

Here are a few best practice examples of how these processes can work in practice:

Scenario 1: Beef Processing Plant

If we imagine a large beef processing plant, some of the wastewater outputs could be in the region of 800 – 1000 litres of wastewater per animal – this is because wastewater is produced during all internal and external washing, cleaning, and more. Alongside this, as cows are very large animals, one of the main pollutants present in the wastewater will be blood, which on average has the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) reading of any other process in this processing cycle. Research even shows that should the blood from a single cow be discharged into water streams untreated, it would be the equivalent of releasing the sewage produced by 50 people in one day in terms of its environmental impact! This helps highlight the significant impact wastewater treatment can have on our environment as well as showing the dangers associated with poor wastewater management. 

As the LAT Unit wastewater treatment plants can be specially modified for your on-site needs, their capacity can be increased by having multiple LAT Units working together. On average, a single plant can treat up to 5,000m³ per day (or approximately the wastewater produced by 5000 cows!). Our food industry wastewater treatment case studies average out at up to 95% clean water recovery, and further case studies even show a 70% reduction in energy use, our example beef processing plant would be able to achieve a significant reduction in its operational costs – allowing the business to lower their prices and still make more profit! Alongside this, any excess skin, horns, bones, and other non-edible parts can be collected and the nutrients extracted. Bone and horn tissue contain important minerals and elements such as phosphorous, magnesium, and sulfur which are widely used in agriculture to support healthy crop growth. By recovering these, the beef processing plant can sell on to other parts of the supply chain. 

Scenario 2: Pork Meat Processing

Similar to our beef processing plant, a pork slaughterhouse will deal with many of the same contaminants in its wastewater, however, although pigs are smaller animals, more of them are processed with worldwide estimates showing around 3.8 million pigs are slaughtered every day (compared to 900,000 cows). Pork processing plants also tend to use more hot and boiling water as boiling is usually one of the main steps of in processing, meaning the plants have a large energy requirement. 

Installing the LAT Unit, our pork processing plant can already supply an abundance of waste heat energy to power the wastewater treatment plant, helping significantly reduce its energy input by effectively using the heat from one process to power two! Alongside this, as the LAT Unit can be remotely monitored 24/7, the teams will have full visibility of the performance of the treatment plant (including output quality) all year around – helping make adjustments as needed during colder months (depending on the size and location of the plant, though the LAT Unit is capable of maintaining its efficiency in temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F) without compromising the treatment process. 

Scenario 3: Lamb Processing Plant

Unlike pork and beef, lamb production usually produces wastewater with very high fat, oils, and grease (FOG) content, making it trickier to treat not only as FOG float to the top but because biological additives are required to help break down the oils to their elemental form. Once broken down, however, we can recover a range of vitamins from the wastewater including vitamin A (used in health and wellness products), vitamin D (used in medicines), vitamin E (used as a natural antioxidant), and vitamin K (used in the pet food industry).

With all of this taken into consideration, our team of engineers will be able to provide a more specialised approach to your wastewater treatment plant setup, including accounting for additives added to the wastewater, extraction of solids, recovery of dissolved particles, and more. This will ensure a high level of clean water recovery alongside the recycling of water and nutrients for further use.

Scenario 4: Venison Meat Processing 

As venison (meat from deer or antelope) is a leaner meat, there are fewer FOG substances to consider, however, venison is usually much higher in protein compared to other red meats, making it more diverse in amino acids and vitamins. Similar to cattle, deer and antelope also have antlers that contain additional bone tissue containing a range of useful elements that can be recovered for further use. 

Venison meat also contains more water compared to other meats, which can add to rates of wastewater as a result of processing, however, deer are not slaughtered in as high numbers as cattle so wastewater overall at these processing plants tends to be lower and more manageable. Therefore, should a processing plant deal with more than one type of meat on-site, our team will ensure that their LAT Unit configuration is able to manage a range of pollutants in line with the varying inflow levels expected at different types of the year. 

How to Choose the Right Industrial Wastewater Treatment Company for Your Meat Processing Site 

When choosing an industrial wastewater treatment company for your meat processing plant, it is important to consider the following factors:

The company’s experience 

Does the company have previous experience in treating similar chemicals and compounds to those you are dealing with and can they provide recommendations for improving your internal processes?

Understanding of your requirements 

Does the company understand your industry and business practices and how flexible can their solution be to future changes down the line?

The company’s technology & support 

Alongside providing excellent stability and uptime, can the company provide additional on-site support as required and do they offer servicing? Having cutting-edge technology is great, but support will really make the difference! 

Cost

Ultimately, a meat processing plant is a business with overheads and other operational costs! While it may be attractive to go with the lowest offer, consider the long-term implications and whether higher initial costs can result in savings that will pay for themselves in the long run!

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Meat Processing Wastewater Treatment & Energy Saving Tips appeared first on LAT Water.

How does flooding occur at wastewater treatment plants?

When creating a risk mitigation strategy, it’s important to consider the types of flooding that may occur as well as the entry points at each of your sites/locations. This will help you estimate the potential severity of the flood as well as the flow of water and its wider impact, e.g. can untreated wastewater leak beyond the treatment plant? 

Flooding can occur due to any one (or combination of) the following: 

• Sudden heavy rainfall and storm surges (e.g. storms, flash floods)
• River flooding (e.g. if there are insufficient physical barriers at nearby rivers)
• Coastal flooding (e.g. rising sea levels)
• Failure of dams and reservoirs (e.g. if physical barriers break or water seeps over the barrier)
• Equipment failure (e.g. the wastewater treatment plant itself leaks or experiences an unexpected overload of inflow water)
• Structural or building failure (e.g. internal or external damage caused to your facilities has caused a knock-on effect on the wastewater treatment plant)
• Inadequate drainage systems (e.g. poorly maintained drainage, blockages, or minimal capacity within drainage systems can result in accumulated water that doesn’t have the proper channels for diverting excess water) 

How we recommend mitigating the impacts of a potential flood

Careful planning and awareness of the local area’s existing infrastructure can be key to mitigating the impacts of flooding. This includes:

• Conducting flood risk assessments to identify potential flood sources and vulnerabilities
• Developing flood emergency response plans and ensuring these are communicated with staff
• Elevating critical infrastructure above potential flood levels when installing new equipment
• Installing flood barriers at doorways as well as across the site 
• Installing flood pumping systems to remove potential floodwater from the site
• Monitoring maintenance schedules for your equipment to ensure everything is in good working order and reducing the chance of failure (including regular cleaning to prevent blockages)

Practical examples:

1. Ensuring you have a comprehensive drainage system design

A well-designed (and regularly maintained) drainage system is fundamental to preventing flooding at your wastewater treatment plant. This includes strategically placed retention basins and effective stormwater management that can cope with large quantities of water. Features such as permeable surfaces, swales, and drainage ditches can also help divert excess water away from sensitive areas such as electrical components or waste collection, thus preventing power outages or contamination. These are all elements our on-site engineers will audit ahead of installing a LAT Unit at your location to ensure its compatibility with existing infrastructure. 

2. Installing sufficient flood barriers and defences

Installing flood barriers and defences around critical infrastructure around the plant can offer protection against rising water levels or heavy rain. Options include concrete flood walls, inflatable barriers, sandbags, or flood-proof doors and windows. It’s also important to ensure that defences are regularly inspected to ensure there is no damage that could reduce their effectiveness. We provide regular servicing and engineer callouts as required. Speak to our team for more info across your location(s).

3. Implementation of early warning systems

Implementing an early warning system that can provide real-time data on weather conditions, river levels, and plant inflow rates can be extremely beneficial to your business. Our modern wastewater treatment plants can be controlled and monitored remotely, so our LAT Unit’s standard setup includes warning systems and alerts that will come through straight to your team and ours. This allows our plant operators to make informed decisions, initiate flood preparedness plans, and help reduce the impact of flooding.

4. Having backup power systems

Flooding can disrupt power supplies, making it crucial to have backup power systems in place on-site. It’s also important to ensure these systems are elevated so they can be as protected as possible from water damage. As the LAT Unit is powered by waste heat from other on-site processes, this is an ideal backup method for more sustainable and self-sufficient backup power generation. 

5. Ensuring employees are well-trained and informed about emergency response plans

Having emergency response procedures is great, but they must be communicated to all staff ahead of an incident taking place! Flooding can happen suddenly, so developing clear protocols for flood events and conducting scheduled drills to ensure all employees are well-prepared to respond effectively can make a huge difference as well as help to relieve stress during a genuine emergency.

6. Maintaining collaboration with local authorities

In the case of an emergency, communication with your local authorities (and even nearby water and wastewater treatment businesses) can be key to addressing issues more quickly to keep the community safe. For example, municipal sewage backup problems can occur during floods, so coordinating efforts can prevent contamination and protect water supplies from hazardous substances. 

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Protecting Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants From Floods appeared first on LAT Water.

This is why we wanted to discuss industrial wastewater treatment in context and explore the journey of water through our local communities. 

The Journey of Raw Water

Raw water is any natural source of water – both freshwater and saltwater – and includes oceans, rivers, lakes, and more. Before raw water can be used in industrial processes or in our homes, it needs to be collected and purified to make it safe for use, remove harmful bacteria and viruses, and remove excessive salts and minerals which can cause corrosion as well as being extremely harmful to humans and wildlife. Stormwater and rainwater will also go through similar processes, however, stormwater will require more treatment as it’s collected from underground drainage systems.

The Transformation Into Potable Water

The transition from raw water to potable water is a multi-step process depending on the initial source of the water, e.g. freshwater springs will require very little treatment to make them safe for consumption or use around the home, whereas sea water will require more treatment due to its large quantities of salts, microorganisms, and other organic matter. This is why water is treated through a desalination process, but may also undergo chemical coagulation (whereby it’s treated with chemicals alone to remove solid particles) or flocculation (which involves the chemical binding of particles followed by physical removal). This is important as it helps to protect public health and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases. Once all debris and sediment are removed, water is deemed safe to enter our water systems which connect our homes, offices, factories, and more.

The Process Of Water Recycling 

As water processing technology has advanced over the years, we can now deliver much more environmentally friendly methods of treatment that reduce our raw water use. Water recycling has become a popular method of repurposing water that has already been through the transformation into potable water journey at least once, instead of pumping it back into the environment and beginning the cycle again. By using this method, we not only reduce our dependence on new water sources but also decrease the chance of creating water shortages in populated areas. Industrial wastewater treatment plants such as the LAT Unit incorporate wastewater recycling into the overall system, which can then be used for cooling purposes or purified further to allow it to enter the beginning of the industrial process in factories and other facilities. This can help greatly reduce overall water consumption, energy required to run each facility, and even reduce maintenance on infrastructure. 

The Wastewater Journey

Once a quantity of water has been used, it becomes wastewater and begins the wastewater journey. While the processes for domestic and industrial wastewater treatment are slightly different (read more about the differences in our article here), both processes are extremely important, however as we specialise in industrial wastewater treatment we will focus on this area in more detail. Wastewater from some industries can be more toxic than from others, which is why a tailored wastewater treatment plan is required on a case-by-case basis to ensure optimal results. At LAT Water, we work across many different sectors and industries including landfill, food and beverage, aquaculture, mining, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and paper and pulp. Each company within each sector treats their wastewater slightly differently depending on its composition (which we sample to test prior to giving our analysis), making the wastewater journey slightly different, too! The end result, however, is up to 95% clean water recovery and further recycling of the solid waste to remove nutrients and other resources (where they enter their own recycling journey).

The Positive Environmental Impacts Of Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment processes have a number of positive impacts and can further our sustainability efforts. While exact figures for industrial wastewater produced globally are estimates only (and labelled “deficient” as per the United Nations World Water Development Report), figures for domestic wastewater are estimated at approximately 380 billion cubic meters globally every year (with this figure expected to rise by 24% by 2030). 

It’s also estimated that as much as 80% of wastewater is left untreated in parts of the world – if this water was treated adequately, we could protect water streams from pollution and protect ecosystems from harm; reduce the rate of mutation of harmful bacteria associated with dirty water; and also reduce land erosion by recycling our used water rather than seeking out new water sources and building infrastructure for water inflow.  

The Positive Societal Impacts Of Wastewater Treatment

The positive societal impacts of wastewater treatment extend even beyond the environmental ones! By ensuring that wastewater is treated to meet local standards, we can safeguard our own health and reduce the spread of disease, protect the quality of water resources for industrial use and manufacturing, and overall protect the quality of water sources whenever we need them. By recycling our wastewater, we can also ensure we have sufficient water to reach large in-land domesticated areas and even enjoy recreational uses such as for swimming or gardening. This helps build communities and improve quality of life, as well as creating better conditions for healthy crop development and animal welfare.

Case Studies Of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Success

We’ve been working with companies across the world to bring more sustainable industrial wastewater treatment infrastructure to their local area, reduce their energy and operational costs, and advance their rate of clean water recovery. Learn more about how we did it in our case studies from the UK and China, as well as in industries such as plastics and food and beverage.

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post The Journey Of Water From Raw Water To Recycled Wastewater appeared first on LAT Water.

Alongside this, consumers are now taking more of an interest in the supply chain of the products they purchase and the brands they support. In the Fairtrade America Consumer Insights report published earlier this month, it was revealed that 61% of US consumers recognise the Fairtrade Mark and logo (an increase of 18% since 2019), and 80% of Fairtrade shoppers would pay more for ethical and sustainability sourced products. The surveys also showed that shoppers are prioritising transparency across the supply chain, which includes ethical methods of waste disposal.

While these are only a few examples, sustainable wastewater treatment is a highly sought-after service with many service providers across the UK and globally. Below, we have outlined some of the key ways to select the best industrial wastewater treatment partner for your business that can help you meet your company’s environmental and sustainability goals!

Key Considerations For Choosing An Industrial Wastewater Treatment Company:

1. Team Expertise

Although specialised industry experience is often a sought-after factor for a wastewater treatment partner, broader expertise across a range of treatment technologies can be even more beneficial. Companies with skilled teams across a range of sectors will be knowledgeable in the removal of more challenging pollutants and may be better equipped to apply cross-industry knowledge to achieve results.

2. Track Record

Alongside checking the company’s website and social media channels for evidence of case studies and clientele, consider requesting further information from their sales teams as there may be case studies they are unable to share publicly due to confidentiality agreements. You can also request a sample analysis and/or anonymised lab reports showing sample testing and outcomes. This can help you compare values across a range of companies and weigh out the pros and cons. 

3. Compliance With Evolving Regulations

This may seem obvious given the title of this article, but it’s important nonetheless to ensure all potential partners are able to meet regulations in your local area as well as promptly adjust to new regulations as they become law. Depending on where your site(s) is/are located, there may also be different regulations to consider and ensuring changes can be accommodated in the long term will be critical. To check this, enquire about the company’s knowledge of discharge permits and reporting obligations and research upcoming changes so you can ask how the company will handle these changes as well as when they will be implemented for your business should you proceed with signing a contract. 

4. Sustainability Reporting

While it’s easy to say a company is committed to sustainability, it’s certainly more tricky to prove! Look for a wastewater treatment partner that emphasises their sustainability practices and demonstrates their commitment with facts, figures, and examples. You can also enquire about their approach to optimising energy consumption during the wastewater treatment process to see how this will lower your carbon footprint compared to your existing solution (or other solutions on the market). For example, at LAT Water we are proud to be able to reduce our clients’ energy consumption by as much as 70%.

5. Resource Recovery 

A growing trend in wastewater management is the ability to repurpose valuable resources from wastewater such as biogas, nutrients, and of course clean water. By recycling resources and lowering the demand for additional resources, companies can reduce their operational costs, transportation needs, and create a more self-sustaining supply chain. Enquire with each company about their methodology and find out more about the importance of these processes in our articles on the benefits of digestate treatment and wastewater recycling. 

6. Comprehensive Services

Following on from number 5, wastewater treatment companies with a track record of providing a comprehensive set of services in-house will usually be better placed to reduce your costs as there will be fewer (if any) third parties to consider. This will not only reduce your operational costs but will also simplify your supply chain and ensure better transparency. You should also ask your shortlisted companies about their system design and engineering processes, installation timelines, and ongoing support and maintenance. For example, at LAT Water our team of experts work with companies across the UK as well as around the world in over 12 languages – providing international support and ensuring expert, localised knowledge of every area we operate in. We’re also available around the clock in your time zone in case of an emergency.

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post How To Select From The Best Sustainable Industrial Wastewater Treatment Companies appeared first on LAT Water.

Firstly, what is digestate and how is it treated?

Digestate is the end product of anaerobic digestion – a biological process that relies on microorganisms to decompose organic matter without the presence of oxygen. This method is widely used across the agriculture, food, and beverage industries as this process provides an environmentally friendly method of disposing of waste materials such as animal skins, stomach contents, fats, dairy products, and various other organic residues. During digestate treatment, the treatment plant will remove all water content from the digestate, leaving only solids. The wastewater will then be treated further to extract useful minerals such as phosphates and remove harmful waste such as bacteria. The treated wastewater can then be purified further to make it suitable for additional uses, and the useful nutrients can be readded to the digestate solids as required to make crop fertiliser and more. 

Why is digestate treatment necessary?

Digestate in its untreated state can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants (such as heavy metals), as well as become a breeding ground for bacteria and disease. If not properly treated, digestate can pollute nearby water sources, damage the local environment, and disrupt ecosystems. Although untreated digestate may contain lots of useful nutrients, when these are in such excess it can have a negative impact on wildlife, crop growth, and local communities (as well as causing inflammatory diseases in humans, amongst other conditions).

What are the main components of digestate?

Digestate is typically composed of water, organic matter, nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), and residual contaminants (such as chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens). The exact composition can vary depending on the industry and location as well as the anaerobic digestion process. A sample analysis can help determine the exact composition.

What are the common methods of digestate treatment?

The most common methods of digestate treatment include:

• Dewatering: This involves separating the liquid and solid parts to reduce volume and extract nutrients.
• Ammonia Stripping: This reduces the ammonia content to make the digestate more suitable for further applications such as soil conditions, fertilisers, and even animal feed.
• Biological or Chemical Treatment: In some instances, the digestate may be treated to reduce contaminants and odours through biological or chemical processes. Odours can additionally be minimised using air biofilters (such as wood chips) or activated charcoal filters.

What are the challenges of digestate treatment?

The key challenges of digestate treatment include:

• The cost of treatment: Digestate treatment can be expensive which is why we’re proud to deliver over 50% operational cost savings to our clients following the installation of our LAT Unit.
• Regulatory requirements: There are strict regulatory requirements for the treatment of digestate and these will vary per location all around the world. For example, in England and Wales, anaerobic digestion facilities cannot process more than 35,000 tonnes of digestate per site each year. 
• Storage & transportation capacity: moving waste off-site can be expensive and time-consuming. Depending on your facility’s location, storage can also become an issue if you are working at maximum capacity, especially if you are relying on third parties and external contractors. 

What are the opportunities associated with digestate treatment?

Digestate treatment and subsequent byproducts can not only help support the supply chain but can also provide additional sources of revenue for businesses. Biogas, for example, can be used as a sustainable fuel source; dewatered digestate can be used as soil conditioner; extracted minerals and nutrients can be used as supplements in soil condition; and lots more! Speak to our team to find out more about the opportunities for your business.

Can digestate be used as a fertiliser?

Digestate in its untreated form cannot be used as fertiliser, however, appropriately treated digestate can be used as fertiliser and is actually a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of creating fertiliser instead of relying on synthetic alternatives. As long as digestate meets local regulations for discharge and use on the land, it’s safe to use for agricultural purposes. 

How can I find the right digestate treatment solution for my specific needs?

When choosing the right digestate treatment solution, it’s important to ”shop around” and get a few different quotes from different companies who specialise in working with your industry. Check out our article on how to choose the right wastewater treatment company for your business for a detailed list of things to consider and contact our team for more information.

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Digestate Treatment & Processing: Your Questions Answered appeared first on LAT Water.

At LAT Water, our team of experts work with companies across the UK as well as around the world in over 12 languages – providing international support and ensuring expert, localised knowledge of every area we operate in. As industrial manufacturing and associated processes produce some of the most toxic wastewater, we make it our mission to understand the chemicals, compounds, and substances that can be found in wastewater streams as well as finding the most effective and safe method of removal. 

This is why it’s important to work with an innovative wastewater treatment company that is an expert in their field!

Here are the top 12 services that are provided by industrial wastewater treatment companies such as LAT Water:

1. Bespoke Wastewater System Design

Industrial wastewater treatment companies such as ourselves have extensive expertise in designing customised treatment systems tailored to the specific needs of different manufacturing facilities in a range of countries across the world. We’ll consider factors such as wastewater composition, flow rate, and local regulatory requirements; as well as the physical location of the plant, the local climate, and more to design efficient and effective treatment processes – one size does not fit all in wastewater treatment! 

2. Advanced Treatment Technologies

To continue being able to provide innovative industrial wastewater treatment solutions that keep up to date with evolving modern standards, industrial wastewater treatment companies have to ensure they are updated on the latest industry developments and technological changes (including AI!). This also means that working with a specialised company reduces the pressure on your team to carry out this research, especially if you are short on resources or struggling to hire experts in this field.

3. Compliance Management

Regulatory compliance is a huge factor in many companies’ decision to work with an industrial wastewater treatment partner. Having the knowledge and experience to navigate permits, discharge limits, reporting requirements, and environmental compliance standards specific to industrial operations can not only be time-consuming but also very difficult to manage in-house without external support, especially if issues arise or changes to regulation disrupt your existing operations. This is where an external team can provide additional support and get you back on track.

4. Specialised Chemical Treatment

Industrial wastewater often contains complex and challenging contaminants that require specialised treatment approaches, especially for highly toxic or corrosive substances. Companies such as ours often employ chemists within the team who have expertise in chemical treatment methods and pH adjustment, which allows them to address specific pollutant types effectively and reduce harm to workers, the environment, and the wider public.

5. Resource Recovery

Unlike regular wastewater treatment companies, industrial wastewater treatment companies focus on resource recovery from wastewater streams, which is not only beneficial for building a more self-sustaining supply chain, but can also provide additional sources of revenue for your business! Our team can explore opportunities to extract and reuse valuable resources such as biogas, or further processes to create de-watered fertiliser, animal feed, soil conditioner, and lots more. 

6. Process Optimisation

Industrial wastewater treatment companies are usually better placed than most to understand the intricacies of different industrial processes across a range of sectors, and their knowledge gives them further insight into the impact on wastewater characteristics over time. Our teams can analyse performance and output which allows us to recommend optimised treatment options that ensure maximum efficiency, reduced energy consumption (even in winter!), and long-term cost savings. 

7. Emergency Response and 24/7 Support

Industrial facilities often work around the clock and may face unforeseen issues or emergencies related to wastewater treatment at inconvenient hours of the day or night! This is why our team offers 24/7 remote support and emergency response services to promptly address any disruptions, minimise your downtime, and mitigate potential environmental risks. In fact, as our LAT Unit can be controlled and monitored remotely, we will often be able to foresee issues before they’re reported – allowing us to act fast in resolving them before they impact your business operation.

8. Training and Education

Many industrial wastewater treatment companies such as ourselves can provide your teams with training and educational resources to help you make the most of not only the treatment plant’s functionality but also provide insight into your business’ wastewater composition. These training sessions usually cover topics such as system operation, maintenance, safety procedures, best practices for pollution prevention, and emergency risk management.

9. Performance Monitoring and Reporting

As our LAT Unit provides online monitoring and reporting, your team can view reports in almost real-time to ensure the continued effectiveness of the treatment systems. We can track key performance indicators, conduct regular sampling and analysis, and provide comprehensive reports on overall system performance, compliance, and efficiency. These reports have previously highlighted energy cost savings of over 70% for some of our biggest clients!

10. Ongoing Maintenance and System Upgrades

Your industrial wastewater treatment partner should provide routine maintenance services to help keep treatment systems operating optimally, especially following particularly hot or cold seasons. We can also recommend (and implement) a method for system upgrades or modifications suitable for your business to help adapt to evolving regulatory requirements over time. 

11. Cost Reduction

By reducing water consumption, minimising energy usage, and decreasing waste disposal costs, your organisation achieve significant cost reductions – but we appreciate this isn’t always possible! This is why our LAT Unit is specially designed to utilise waste heat as an energy input, thus significantly lowering your costs without changing any other parts of your standard processes. We can also implement a new water cooling system into your manufacturing process that uses treated wastewater instead of relying on freshwater resources – thus creating a self-sustaining, closed-loop system that directly improves your profitability and helps you achieve your environmental sustainability goals.

12. Positive Reputation

Showing a commitment to responsible wastewater management can enhance your company’s reputation, and working with a company such as LAT Water with growing recognition in environmental sustainability can be a huge plus! It helps demonstrate ethical business and supply chain practices as well as attracting environmentally-conscious clients, investors, and partners – ultimately leading to an increased market share and brand loyalty (especially amongst end consumers).

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Top 12 Services Provided by Industrial Wastewater Treatment Companies appeared first on LAT Water.

The countries experiencing the highest rates of water scarcity (rated as “high” or “extremely high” are located across Europe, Africa, and Asia and include: Greece, Belgium, San Marino, Cyprus, Egypt, South Africa, Botswana, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Namibia, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Kuwait, Oman, Syria, Iran, Israel, India, and Chile. Medium-high risk countries additionally include the United States of America, China, Australia, Germany, and others. See the full distribution map here. These countries are all experiencing strain to meet their water needs for basic uses such as drinking water, adequate sanitation, and agriculture – placing further stress on food provision and medical care. 

One way to address water scarcity is through efficient wastewater treatment and recycling. Modern technology allows us to take industrial wastewater as well as domestic water and remove pollutants, bacteria, chemicals, and other residues to make the water safe again for drinking and other uses. 

Wastewater treatment plants such as LAT Water’s LAT Unit separate and remove these pollutants which allows for further recycling of nutrients and minerals that can be used across sectors such as agriculture to provide a more self-sustaining process. Even wastewater from the world’s biggest polluters and most toxic industries can be recycled in this way to provide clean, safe water that can be released into the environment or used in the home.

However, as the process is highly complex, many consumers may initially find it off-putting and show resistance to the adoption of wastewater treatment technologies. In a previous article, we discussed the Toowoomba Water Futures referendum of 2006, where residents in Toowoomba, Australia, voted against supplementing their water supply with 25% recycled wastewater which led to strict water supply restrictions for the over 140,000 residents of the area. Following the referendum, research showed that had the residents voted in favour of the wastewater recycling scheme, the cost of water provision in the area would have cost taxpayers a staggering $100 million AUD less compared to current methods, as well as additionally allowing residents to enjoy ample water supply throughout the year. Case studies such as this one help highlight some of the challenges involved in modern wastewater treatment adoption as well as highlighting the additional expenses associated with technological stagnation combined with population growth. (At LAT Water, our industrial clients see upwards of a 70% reduction in energy consumption when switching to our bespoke LAT Unit as the treatment plant is innovatively powered using on-site waste heat.)

Some of the benefits of wastewater treatment and recycling:

It can reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.

When wastewater is not treated it can be extremely dangerous as it can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. Wastewater treatment can remove these pathogens, making the water safe to drink and use. This is not only a benefit to humans but also helps protect ecosystems and the environment from new forms of diseases and mutations. 

It can improve water quality for drinking, bathing, and other purposes.

As we’ve already mentioned, effective water treatment can remove all traces of pollutants from wastewater and make it safe to drink, bathe in, and even for recreational uses and gardening. It is also important to note, however, that not all treatment methods are equal and the treatment method will depend on the water’s intended end use, and further treatment may be required (LAT Water have full in-house testing facilities to ensure we provide optimal solutions – speak to our team to find out more).

It can help to protect ecosystems.

Wastewater can contain a range of pollutants including solids, liquids, and gases that can harm ecosystems (especially aquatic creatures) and create “dead zones” which take many years to recover. At present, one of the biggest challenges in wastewater treatment relates to the removal of chemicals present in wastewater as well as the growing amount of microplastics in our environment. 

It can recover valuable resources.

A secondary benefit of wastewater treatment is the recovery of valuable resources which as nitrogen, phosphates, and minerals which can be used in animal feed, fertilisers and soil conditioners to help promote healthy crop growth, for research and innovation purposes, and lots more. 

It can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Alongside direct nutrient recovery, wastewater treatment processes such as anaerobic digestion produce biogas, which can be crucial for renewable energy generation. Biogas is usually composed of around 50-65% methane gas and around 35-50% carbon dioxide and it’s become a popular renewable fuel in China where over 50 million households are powered by biogas. 

As water becomes more scarce, wastewater treatment will become increasingly important as a way to conserve water, protect the environment, and create a more sustainable future. 

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post Wastewater Treatment: A Sustainable Solution To Water Scarcity appeared first on LAT Water.

Last week (9th August 2023), the American Chemical Society (ACS) shared the findings of a new research paper by a team of scientists from Beijing Anzhen Hospital in China who had found microplastics in human hearts for the first time as well as microplastics in patients’ blood. The researchers analysed the heart tissues of a sample of 15 patients and discovered 9 types of plastic including common types of recyclable plastic such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate); PMMA – poly(methyl methacrylate) – which is a common alternative to glass due to its shatter-resistant properties; and PU (polyurethane) which is used in household products and fashion items. 

The Journey of Microplastics into Industrial Wastewater Streams

Despite many attempts and past research, microplastic removal remains one of the main challenges of industrial wastewater treatment as engineers have struggled to find a removal solution that is 100% effective in removing microplastics 100% of the time. This is due to the plastics’ composition and miniature size as they do not react with other elements or dissolve. 

Microplastics can therefore infiltrate industrial wastewater through various sources:

The Manufacturing Process:

Potentially one of the more obvious is industrial manufacturing processes – when plastics are cut, moulded, or extruded, tiny specs of plastic can break off and get released into the air. 

The Finishing Process:

When products are washed, dyed, or painted, loose particles can also get swept away, creating further plastic pollution across multiple industrial wastewater streams. 

Final Product Degradation / Wear & Tear:

Over time, plastic products can degrade, chip, and scratch thus shedding even more microplastics. This can happen across different industrial processes as plastics are used in machinery, packaging, and transportation. 

Inadequate Waste Management:

As more and more plastics enter wastewater streams and cannot be fully removed, they can contribute to the release of microplastics beyond the manufacturing facilities. Alongside this, improper disposal of plastics can mean they end up in landfill – making leachate and landfill wastewaters increasingly abundant in microplastics. 

Addressing the Challenges Posed by Microplastics in Industrial Wastewater

So, what can we do to tackle these challenges and the rapid spread of microplastics? 

While initiatives such as reducing plastic food packaging, banning plastic straws, and mandating the use of recyclable plastics can help put us on the right path towards reducing the amount of microplastics we come in contact with; the problem of existing (and new) pollution still remains. 

However, improvements in technology over the years have helped sophisticate existing processes and remove smaller and smaller fragments. Thanks to the introduction of AI in wastewater treatment, companies are now able to perform more accurate sampling as well as track trends and changes in wastewater inputs as well as clean water outputs, thus assisting engineers in developing more effective mitigation strategies in the future. 

At LAT Water, our wastewater treatment solutions have been shown to recover over 85% clean water as a minimum from plastics washing wastewater – helping decrease the amount of harmful plastics in the environment. Depending on the type of wastewater your company produces and the complexity of the stream, our specially-engineered LAT Unit can additionally provide considerable operational savings (some of our clients see a 70% reduction in energy consumption!). Contact our team to arrange a sample analysis and accompanying report showing clean water recovery levels (more details at https://localhost/latwater/testing-facilities).

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology and around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post The Hazards Of Microplastics In Industrial Wastewater And The Treatment Options appeared first on LAT Water.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been in the news recently as an emerging, powerful tool for improving the industrial wastewater treatment process. While the mention of AI can feel like a gimmick in many sectors, for technology that uses the internet for remote access and 24/7 monitoring (such as our LAT Unit), AI feels like an easy next step, especially as machine learning (ML) is already a big part of predictive modelling. 

How AI can be used in wastewater treatment plants

In modern industrial wastewater treatment plants, artificial intelligence can be used in the following ways:

Optimising treatment processes

AI can quickly analyse large data sets from industrial wastewater treatment plants to identify inefficiencies or areas for operational improvements and optimisation of resources, e.g. reducing power input during specific times of day when inflow is slower, raising the temperature of the plant by a specific amount to lower overall costs, and much more. 

Detecting and preventing problems

One of the key areas where AI excels is in pattern detection – this can help monitor for problems and spot subtle changes in output that may go unnoticed by a human, especially in the early stages. By catching emerging problems early, engineers can learn more about the type of problem and the parts affected – helping reduce downtime and backlogs, improving the overall efficiency of your team, and reducing the cost of repairs by isolating problems before they spread to the rest of the system. Alongside this, issues such as undetected leaks can cause irreversible environmental damage – the quicker these issues are caught, the less impact they are likely to have (as well as reducing your chances of receiving a fine!). 

Developing new treatment technologies 

We mentioned pattern detection above, and another way this can be extremely helpful is in the development of new treatment technologies. AI can assist engineers in developing more efficient methods of removing pollutants from wastewater, helping rapidly address the challenges posed by the varying range of emerging contaminants across different sectors, and helping develop more eco-friendly treatment methods along the way. This is possible as AI can collect data from existing treatment methods and create models with higher efficiency from the data sets at a much faster rate than most engineers and industry experts (however, don’t forget to run the final model by your engineer, as AI can still make mistakes!). 

Improving research and development

AI can be used for more than just optimisation of resources – it’s a great tool for performing continuous scans and monitoring for changes in wastewater contaminants (as well as nutrients), assisting research teams in their efforts to learn more about human health and the effects of materials and substances used across different industries. Part of the reason wastewater treatment is so difficult is that not all solids, liquids, and gases can be extracted in the same way. Depending on other substances in the wastewater, reactions can occur, creating challenges for treatment. The more awareness we have in this area, the better prepared we will be when creating new regulations, standards, and more. 

The future of AI in industrial wastewater treatment

The use of AI in wastewater treatment is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionise the industry. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of AI in wastewater treatment in the years to come in some of the following ways:

Real-time process monitoring

While this may be a new feature for many wastewater treatment plants, our LAT Unit has provided clients with real-time monitoring since the first commercial edition of the plant was installed. However, for many companies, this technology is still far outside of reach which can be costly for their clients as periodic monitoring can be ineffective in fast-paced facilities. AI can help transform operations by enabling more companies to make sense of the data produced by their on-site or off-site treatment plant(s). 

Remote maintenance checks

We briefly mentioned error detection above, but going one step further, AI can replace scheduled maintenance plans with a predictive approach that helps optimise resources beyond just the wastewater treatment plant. E.g. by performing a remote health check of the system instead of visiting in person, it can save engineers time, reduce transport emissions / road congestion, and reduce wait times for support for those who need it more urgently. 

Virtual reality (VR) training

When we think about optimisation, human resources are rarely considered – by using AI together with virtual reality technology, your workforce can benefit from a quicker and more tailored onboarding process which helps users make better sense of how their wastewater treatment plant works, what to do in an emergency, and how to perform a repair as guided by AI or even by a person in real-time. Similar technology has already been used in medicine to help surgeons operate as AI together with VR technology is proving highly effective at reducing stress and risk during high-pressure operations. 

Crowdsourcing & learning 

Most excitingly, AI can be used to crowdsource data from wastewater treatment plants around the world to improve our understanding of wastewater treatment and develop new technologies over time that can withstand a varied range of conditions. This approach not only saves time contacting different sites for information, but also helps remove geographic and linguistic barriers. While this approach is easier between treatment plants engineered by the same company, cross-company partnerships can be extremely valuable in assisting ongoing research and as datasets can be anonymised, there is minimised risk to privacy and security. 

Contact The LAT Water Team

If you’re looking for a new industrial wastewater treatment provider with modern technology around-the-clock support, contact our team on +44 (0)1635 635900 or by emailing info@lat-water.local. Download our corporate brochure for more details about our sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and check out the rest of our blog for more insights into the work that we do.

The post How AI is Revolutionising Industrial Wastewater Treatment appeared first on LAT Water.