Winery crush pads generate a lot of wastewater; this wastewater is a mix of grape waste, wash water, and chemicals. To preserve the quality of their soil and meet environmental standards, wineries must drain off this wastewater to prevent runoff.
Below, we’ll take a look at the challenges presented by crush pad wastewater, then show how the Slot Drain System can help mitigate these challenges, giving wineries a more efficient way to drain and treat wastewater.
Challenges Presented By Wastewater In Winery Operations
The wastewater generated at crush pads can generate a number of different environmental problems if not properly treated; crush pad wastewater is acidic and may contain a mix of solid and liquid organic matter and cleaning chemicals. Additionally, the volume of wastewater being generated fluctuates widely from season to season.
Understanding Volume
The amount of wastewater being generated at a crush pad will vary depending on:
- Grape yield
- Washdown frequency
- Rainfall (for outdoor crush pads)
Surge flow has an impact on volume, too; when a large quantity of grapes is processed at once, the amount of liquid generated will increase. Coupled with rainfall and washdown, the amount of liquid being drained can surge quite suddenly. Drainage systems must be built to account for maximum surge flow rather than the average expected flow.
Contaminants, Acidity, BOD, COD, And Other Factors
The wine production process creates wastewater that can be devastating to the environment. Crush pad wastewater is:
- High in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) thanks to the high levels of organic matter
- High in chemical oxygen demand (COD) thanks to sanitizers and chemical cleaners
Winery wastewater is also difficult to clean because of the mix of solids, liquids, and oils. Drains that are installed at crush pads should:
- Be corrosion-resistant to handle the low pH of the wastewater
- Be easy to clean to help clear organic matter
- Feature catch basins and strainer baskets to limit the amount of solid material that flows through the drain
Re-Using Treated Wastewater In Winery Facilities
Once wastewater has been drained appropriately, winery owners must consider what to do with the wastewater. Wastewater disposal is complex; multi-step treatments are common and may include the use of settling tanks, aeration ponds, sand filters, and other treatment methods.
There is a focus on sustainability throughout the winemaking industry; one core pillar of this push is efficient water management. Treated wastewater can be used for cleaning equipment, and by treating water further, it can even be used for drip irrigation.
Treating wastewater sufficiently is key; without extensive treatment, wastewater can increase salinity and acidity in the soil, impeding plant growth. Installing a drainage system that prevents blockages, is easy to clean, and is corrosion-resistant can help wineries channel wastewater into treatment areas with little effort.
Benefits Of Efficient Winery Wastewater Management
The benefits of efficient wastewater management for wineries are multifaceted. Proper wastewater management means:
- Compliance with local regulations
- Higher yields
- Lower environmental impact
- Lower operating costs
- Less cleaning and lower labour costs
These benefits can lead to better relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies. They also mean that wineries can invest resources that would go into cleaning drains into equipment, staff, marketing, or other segments that can grow their business.
By treating wastewater enough that it can be reused, wineries can also reduce the amount they spend on fresh water each year.
Slot Drain's Drainage Systems Can Integrate With Your Wastewater Treatment Process
At Slot Drain, we offer drainage systems that are designed for wineries. Our Slot Drain System is:
- Grateless
- Easy to install
- Corrosion-resistant (the drains are made of stainless steel)
- Resistant to extreme temperatures
- Low-profile
- Easy to clean
- Load Class Rated F
For most crush pads, we recommend the 10,000 Series Slot Drain. This system can be equipped with catch basins and strainer baskets to help handle solid waste. We have also developed a Clean in Place (CIP) system to make cleaning your Slot Drain easy – all with the goal of ensuring compliance with local regulations.
The 10,000 Series also makes it easy to vary flow rates. Here are the flow rates you can achieve with the 10,000 Series:
- ½” – 11 GPM (per foot of drain)
- 1″ – 18 GPM (per foot of drain)
- 1¼” – 27 GPM (per foot of drain)
All you have to do is estimate the maximum surge flow rate at your crush pad, then purchase and install the appropriate drains. All of our drains are prefabricated and pre-sloped, and we can help you select the right drains for your winery.
Ready to improve crush pad wastewater management with our grateless winery drainage solutions? Contact us today. We’ll help you manage your wastewater drainage more efficiently, so you can invest in the growth of your winery.
