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New life for manure digester

May 19, 2017, Waunakee, WI – Once infamous for spills, permit violations and even an explosion, the manure digester just north of Waunakee is now receiving accolades from an environmental group dedicated to clean lakes.

The Clean Lakes Alliance presented Clean Fuel Partners, LLC, the digester operator, with the Lumley Leadership Award for Lake Stewardship for its efforts to reduce phosphorus entering the Yahara Watershed.

“We were completely surprised and caught off guard when we were announced,” said Clean Fuel CEO John Haeckel. “I would like to think it’s because we have been working to make the Waunakee facility work, to sort of resurrect it from a place where it wasn’t successful.”

The manure digester was originally built in partnership with Dane County and operated by a different company, Clear Horizons, with the intention of removing algae-causing phosphorus from three area farms that would otherwise flow into lakes and streams.

The digester also captures methane in the process to produce energy. READ MORE