Water Recovery · Feasibility
Food processor process-water reuse study
A feasibility study into recovering and reusing process water at a food-processing facility, including heat recovery from warm effluent streams.
- Location
- South Australia
- Sector
- Water Recovery
- Status
- Feasibility
- Case study
- Outcomes verified
The challenge
The facility drew large volumes of potable water for washdown and cooling, then discharged it warm to trade waste — paying twice, once for supply and again for disposal, while losing recoverable heat.
Our approach
- 1
Full water balance across intake, process, washdown and discharge points.
- 2
Sampling and characterisation of each effluent stream.
- 3
Reuse opportunities matched to fit-for-purpose quality requirements.
- 4
Treatment options compared on capital cost, footprint and compliance.
- 5
Heat recovery from warm effluent assessed alongside water reuse.
Outcomes achieved
Feasibility complete
Stage
All major
Streams mapped
Washdown & cooling
Reuse identified
Heat recovery
Co-benefit
- Identified reuse volumes suitable for washdown and non-contact cooling duties.
- Modelled reduction in both potable intake and trade-waste discharge charges.
- Recoverable heat quantified as an additional saving alongside water.
- Staged implementation pathway with compliance requirements documented.
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