April 8, 2011, San Luis Obispo, CA – Sustainable Conservation is
currently promoting the benefits of a reciprocating biofilter (Recip)
project to major California regulatory agencies.
April 8, 2011, San Luis Obispo, CA – Sustainable Conservation is currently promoting the benefits of a reciprocating biofilter (Recip) project to major California regulatory agencies.
Getting a green light from agencies will help spur statewide adoption of this technology that reduces water pollution from dairy farming.
The pilot project, constructed at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, CA, is effective in removing up to 95 per cent of the total ammonia nitrogen in dairy lagoon water, with more than 50 per cent removal of total nitrogen and total suspended solids. Nitrogen in manure is a concern because it can migrate off dairy farms and pollute waterways and groundwater. The Cal Poly project is the first time the technology has been used at a dairy.
The goal is to demonstrate to regulatory agencies like the State Water Resources Control Board how California dairy farmers can effectively, and inexpensively protect water sources and comply with environmental regulations.
The Recip technology utilizes naturally occurring microorganisms to convert nitrogen into a harmless gas, thereby removing it from wastewater. Recip is an option for dairy farmers who have more manure than they can utilize to fertilize their crops, and are unable to acquire additional land or move the excess manure off-farm.
