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Winery holding ponds for wastewater treatment can be plagued with algae. Ultrasound technology helps you discharge and reuse clean treated water.
Wineries use extensive amounts of water in production. A typical winery uses approximately four gallons of water to produce one gallon of wine. Most water is used to wash and sterilize equipment. A winery can easily use 5,000 gallons of water per day, and the wastewater could be used for irrigation or for re-use in the winery.
As a result, wineries are taking on the responsibility for water treatment, much like a wastewater treatment plant, but at smaller scale. As water is collected and prepared to be discharged in lagoons or small ponds, algae can form, especially in warmer climates and fields fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorous. These algae must be eliminated before the water is discharged and reused.
Maintaining the Winery Aesthetic Experience
The winery’s ponds serve dual purpose: storing wastewater for reuse or eventual release into the environment, and decorative appeal within a winery’s bucolic settings. Visitors enjoy the look of a pond nearby the vines.
Compliance with Stricter Regulations
Strict regulations such as newly passed legislation in California, enforced by the state’s Water Resource Control Board, set specific requirements for water treatment. They require new approaches and equipment for water monitoring and treatment.
Protect infrastructure and the bottom line
Algae and biofilm can even clog and damage infrastructure such as pipes and filters that cycle water. Still, wineries can’t simply raise prices to cover the cost of treatment, especially when they are competing in markets that don’t have the same regulations.
In response, winemakers may rely on filtration, the application of algaecides, and the placement of an aeration device on the pond. While chemicals can be effective and fast in eliminating algae, they can have harmful effects on the environment and require frequent applications. The chemicals also need to be handled and stored safely. While aeration devices help to reduce the food supply for algae, they can be expensive, and while helpful in contributing to water health, they don’t directly kill algae.
You can learn more about the impact of algae by reading our Primer on Algae and Biofilm.
WaterIQ Technologies™ ultrasound technology is a reliable algae control solution that requires very little manual intervention, is safe to use, and is proven to be effective in eliminating algae. In addition, its support for remote monitoring provides feedback on the operational status of systems. It can use optional sensors to test water health and report intelligently and proactively to personnel who can remotely monitor changes and respond. Our Cloud-based software can display multiple ponds where systems are installed through one screen.
Algae won’t go away by themselves. Let WaterIQ Technologies help you find the best solution to eliminate algae from your winery ponds. Take a look at our case studies and other information in our Resources section, and feel free to contact us at any time for answers to your questions.