Optimization Of Wastewater Treatment In The Dairy Industry

Abstract

The dairy industry is a significant contributor to industrial wastewater due to the extensive use of water in milk processing and equipment cleaning. Operations such as cleaning of silos, tanks, heat exchangers, homogenizers, and pipelines generate large volumes of effluent characterized by high organic and inorganic loads. Dairy effluent typically contains milk residues, dairy products, inorganic salts, cleaning agents, detergents, and sanitizers, resulting in elevated levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), oils and grease, nitrogen, and phosphorus—often exceeding the permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The food processing sector, particularly dairy, not only ranks among the highest in water consumption but also produces significant quantities of sludge from biological treatment processes. Effective wastewater management strategies are essential to mitigate the environmental impacts and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.