The efficiency of water use varies greatly from dairy plant to dairy plant, explains IDFA Vice President Clay Detlefsen in his April Dairy Foods magazine column on water management practices.
"The best fluid-milk plants use about one-half gallon of water per gallon of milk processed. The least efficient plants use four times that amount," he said.
By employing good clean-in-place (CIP) and water flush practices, plants can save money, preserve water and avoid protracted battles with the Environmental Protection Agency.