Reclaimed water safely used in food processing

In water-scarce regions, the use of water must be optimized in any safe way possible. Reuse in water has been demonstrated to be the best approach for resiliency and sustainability, however, the fear of contamination in the food industry is a concern not just among consumers, but food processors and regulators alike.

A new study by DWFI Processing Specialist Yulie Meneses Gonzalez and team is one of the first to address issues and concerns related to water reuse in the food industry. They found that reclaimed water can be safely used as an alternative to potable water in food processing systems.

The technology available now allows the industry to reach any quality of water required — including a quality that is safe to reuse for cleaning of food processing equipment. This optimizes water usage in a food processing operation, while avoiding the need to release it back into the environment. The cost of treating wastewater for release into the ecosystem can be significant for food processors and affect the community's perception of the operation.