DairyWater: striving for sustainability within the dairy processing industry in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

This Review describes the objectives and methodology of the DairyWater project as it aims to aid the Irish dairy processing industry in achieving sustainability as it expands. With the abolition of European milk quotas in March 2015, the Republic of Ireland saw a surge in milk production. The DairyWater project was established in anticipation of this expansion of the Irish dairy sector in order to develop innovative solutions for the efficient management of water consumption, wastewater treatment and the resulting energy use within the country's dairy processing industry. Therefore, the project can be divided into three main thematic areas: dairy wastewater treatment technologies and microbial analysis, water re-use and rainwater harvesting and environmental assessment. In order to ensure the project remains as relevant as possible to the industry, a project advisory board containing key industry stakeholders has been established. To date, a number of large scale studies, using data obtained directly from the Irish dairy industry, have been performed. Additionally, pilot-scale wastewater treatment (intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor) and tertiary treatment (flow-through pulsed ultraviolet system) technologies have been demonstrated within the project. Further details on selected aspects of the project are discussed in greater detail in the subsequent cluster of research communications.

Evaluation of dairy processing wastewater biotreatment in an IASBR system: Aeration rate impacts on performance and microbial ecology

“…The European dairy industry is experiencing a period of rapid growth following the abolition of European milk quotas in 2015, with a 50% increase in Irish milk production predicted by 2020. In Ireland, dairy processors consume an average of 2.3 L of water per litre of milk processed [ 1 ] but can produce up to 10 L of effluent depending on the end product [ 2 ]. Such effluents are considered an important source of potential water pollution due to their high nutrient composition.…”

Clustering of countries based on dairy productivity characteristics of Holstein cattle for breeding material selection

“…New Zealand had the lowest milk yield (kg), fat (kg), and protein (kg), while the relative content of the studied solids was the highest. This can be explained by the fact that year-round pastures continue to use available natural resources [54,55]. This approach is also economically justified and involves other livestock breeding programs [51,[56][57][58], which may indicate a high level of population consolidation.…”

Dairy Wastewater as a Potential Feedstock for Valuable Production with Concurrent Wastewater Treatment through Microbial Electrochemical Technologies

“…Milk storage aids in harmonizing the diverse volumes amid the milk-receiving and -processing stages and thus functions like the equalization tank frequently employed in a wastewater treatment plant. Typically, stainless steel or fiberglass storage units with capacities that vary from 20 to 200 m 3 are set up outdoors in the industry for the storage of milk [48]. At this stage, the wastewater arises from the leakages of tanks and from the washing and disinfection of milk containers, silos, trucks, and pipelines.…”