Global food supplier selects WCSEE treatment system

Global food supplier Griffith Foods has selected WCS Environmental Engineering technology to enhance the wastewater treatment process at its UK site in Wincanton, Somerset.

Griffith Foods provides seasonings, coatings, sauce, dressings and butter portions to the food industry, with the corporate purpose to “blend care and creativity to nourish the world”.

Its previous onsite water treatment system required updating to ensure compliance with tightening trade effluent requirements and maintain protection of the local water environment. After laboratory testing of site effluent samples, WCSEE recommended a new system comprising a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system, balance and sludge tanks and a chemical mixing and dosing system.

The system was designed with particular focus on removal of fat, oil and grease (FOG), which can cause blockages in public sewer systems if not removed during industrial effluent treatment. DAF is a treatment process that removes a wide range of total suspended solids in wastewater and reduces FOG and chemical oxygen demand.

Pete Cranney, WCSEE technical manager, said: “We are pleased to be supporting Griffith Foods with its waste management goals by providing an enhanced wastewater treatment system at Wincanton.

“Food manufacturing wastewater streams can be complex, with solids, fats, oils and grease to manage and dispose of appropriately, so as not to impact surrounding environments. After discussions to understand the specific requirements and lab tests using samples from the site, we were able to identify and implement a solution to bring immediate enhancement to onsite wastewater treatment.

“The food and beverage sector, like other industrial water users, has tight trade effluent regulations to maintain. Businesses will also have their own corporate sustainability goals, around areas such as reduction of water and energy use. As such, modern wastewater treatment systems must be robust, cost efficient and sustainable.”

David Sharpe, Griffith Foods project engineering manager, said, “Our company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives focus on the positive impact we’re having across people, planet and performance. As such, we are continually reviewing our processes to reduce our water and waste impact. The new WCSEE treatment system will support us with this goal.”

Each WCSEE DAF treatment system is customised for individual sites. Its modular design means the whole plant – including pumps, tanks, screens, chemical dosing and controls – can be manufactured offsite and easily transported for quick installation.

WCSEE also support industrial clients with sludge disposal though anaerobic digestion, a process which produces biogas and biofertiliser – and can generate a revenue.