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Fermented Product Wastewater

Yogurt and cultured product manufacturing generates wastewater with starter cultures, fruit preparations, and cleaning c

Engineered Performance

Every system is designed for your specific wastewater characteristics, flow profile, and effluent targets. No off-the-shelf assumptions — just validated process engineering.

Proven Reliability

Equipment selected from manufacturers with proven field performance in similar applications. Duty/standby arrangements and robust construction minimise unplanned downtime.

Environmental Compliance

Design targets are set at 50-70% of consent limits, providing a safety margin for process variation. Continuous monitoring and automated reporting demonstrate compliance.

Operator Friendly

Intuitive controls, clear instrumentation, and accessible maintenance points reduce training requirements. Standard operating procedures written in plain language.

Technical Support

Direct access to our process engineers for operational advice, troubleshooting, and optimisation. Remote diagnostics and rapid on-site response keep your plant running.

Quality Assurance

Materials certified to EN 10204 3.1, welding procedures qualified to ISO 9606, and pressure testing to 1.5x design pressure. Full traceability from mill to commissioning.

Treatment Considerations

pH neutralisation is essential before advanced biological treatment. Reynolds & Bauhm systems handle the variable loads

Space Constraints

Available footprint often dictates process selection. Containerised systems, vertical stacking, and high-rate processes maximise treatment capacity in limited space.

Budget Parameters

Capital expenditure and Operating expenditure budgets influence technology choice, material specification, and automation level. Life-cycle costing reveals the true cost difference between options.

Flow Variability

Diurnal, seasonal, and production-driven flow variations require equalisation and flexible process capacity. Fixed-rate systems fail during peaks and waste energy during troughs.

Effluent Quality Targets

Discharge consent limits, reuse quality standards, or environmental permits define treatment depth. Over-treatment wastes money; under-treatment risks prosecution.

Maintenance Capability

Operator skill level, shift cover, and spare parts inventory influence equipment selection. Simple robust systems suit remote sites; sophisticated plants need trained technicians.

Future Expansion

Design for 20-30% flow growth avoids early replacement. Modular construction, oversized pipework, and spare tank connections make future expansion straightforward and economical.

Performance

Yogurt plant treatment systems achieve >90% BOD removal and reliable compliance with discharge requirements, even with t

COD Removal

Achieves 85-98% COD reduction depending on process selection and influent characteristics. Anaerobic pre-treatment followed by aerobic polishing delivers the highest removal rates.

TSS Reduction

Total suspended solids reduced to below 10-30 mg/L through coagulation, flocculation, and physical separation. Lamella and DAF clarification provide consistent solids removal.

FOG Separation

Fat, oil, and grease reduced to below 5-15 mg/L using CPI separators, DAF, and biological degradation. Pre-treatment protects downstream processes from fouling.

Nutrient Removal

Ammonia-N below 5-10 mg/L and total phosphorus below 1-2 mg/L achieved through biological nitrification-denitrification and chemical precipitation with ferric salts.

pH Stabilisation

Effluent pH maintained within 6.5-8.5 through automated acid/alkali dosing with inline probe control. Buffer tanks prevent pH shock to receiving waters.

Flow Handling

Systems designed for peak flows of 1.5-3x average daily flow with hydraulic capacity to handle diurnal variation without bypass or loss of treatment quality.

Comprehensive Treatment Options

Biological & Non-Biological Systems for Yogurt & Fermented Products

Physico-Chemical Treatment (Non-Biological)

Primary treatment systems for acidic fermented product wastewater containing starter cultures, fruit preparations, and stabilisers. Essential pH neutralisation and solids separation before biological stages.

pH Neutralisation Systems

Automated chemical dosing to neutralise acidic wastewater from fermentation processes. Maintains optimal pH range for advanced biological treatment or direct discharge compliance.

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DAF Flotation Systems

Efficient removal of milk solids, fruit particles, and fats from yogurt and cultured product wastewater. Chemical conditioning optimises separation efficiency.

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Screening Systems

Fine screens remove fruit pieces, packaging debris, and large solids to protect downstream equipment and improve treatment performance.

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Lamella Clarifiers

Compact sedimentation for suspended solids removal. Space-saving design ideal for yogurt facilities with limited treatment area.

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Biological Treatment Systems

Biological processes engineered for fermented product wastewater with variable organic content from batch production. Handles lactose, proteins, and residual cultures for compliant discharge or reuse.

MBBR Reactors

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors provide robust treatment for variable loads from batch yogurt production. Resistant to pH fluctuations from fermentation.

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SBR Systems

Sequencing Batch Reactors ideal for intermittent production schedules. Flexible operation matches wastewater generation patterns.

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Activated Sludge

Conventional activated sludge systems with optimised design for dairy effluents. Cost-effective solution for larger yogurt production facilities.

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MBR Systems

Membrane Bioreactors deliver high-quality effluent for water reuse applications. Ideal for facilities with sustainability and water conservation goals.

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Integrated Treatment Solutions

Combined treatment processes engineered for yogurt and fermented product facilities. Reynolds & Bauhm systems handle acidic effluents, fruit solids, and variable organic loads while meeting discharge requirements.

Standard Configuration

Screening → pH Adjustment → DAF → Equalization → Biological → Clarification

BOD Removal: 92-97%

Water Reuse Configuration

Screening → DAF → pH Control → MBBR → MBR → UV Disinfection

Reuse Quality: 98%+

Compact Configuration

Screening → Lamella → SBR → Filtration

Footprint: -65%

Yogurt Production Wastewater Streams

Fermentation Vessel Wash

Volume2-5% of production
pH3.8-4.6
BOD8,000-20,000 mg/L
TSS2,000-8,000 mg/L

Fruit Preparation Waste

Volume0.5-2% of production
pH3.0-4.5
BOD15,000-50,000 mg/L
Sugar Content10-30%

Packaging Line Wash

Volume5-10% of production
pH6.0-8.0 (variable)
BOD2,000-8,000 mg/L
Temperature40-70°C

Starter Culture Waste

Volume<1% of production
pH4.0-4.8
BOD10,000-30,000 mg/L
SpecialHigh bacterial content

Yogurt Wastewater Treatment Process

1

Screening

Remove fruit pieces, packaging debris, and large solids from yogurt production wastewater to protect downstream equipment.

2

Equalisation

Buffer variable flows and neutralise acidic fermentation effluents to create stable conditions for biological treatment.

3

DAF Flotation

Dissolved air flotation separates milk fats, proteins, and fine suspended solids with optimised polymer chemistry.

4

Biological Treatment

MBBR or SBR systems degrade lactose, proteins, and organic compounds to achieve discharge compliance targets.

5

Sludge Dewatering

Screw presses dewater biological sludge to 18-22% dry solids, reducing disposal requirements and associated costs.

Strained Yogurt (Greek Style) Challenges

Acid Whey from Straining

Greek yogurt production generates significant volumes of acid whey during the straining process - typically 2-4 kg whey per kg of Greek yogurt produced.

pH4.0-4.6
Total Solids5.5-7.5%
Lactose4.0-5.5%
Calcium0.12-0.18%

Disposal Challenges

  • Cannot be directly land-applied (acidifies soil)
  • High BOD overwhelms municipal plants
  • Low protein = poor economic value

Acid Whey Solutions

1. Anaerobic Digestion

High-rate anaerobic treatment converts lactose to biogas. Requires pH buffering due to acid content.

COD removal: 85-95% | Biogas: 350-400 m³/tonne

2. Lactose Recovery

Crystallisation or membrane filtration to recover lactose for food or pharmaceutical use.

Recovery: 60-80% lactose | Value: -700/tonne

3. Animal Feed

Dehydrated acid whey can be used in pig and cattle feed formulations.

Value: -300/tonne dehydrated

4. Blending with Other Wastes

Mix with higher pH wastewater (sweet whey, milk) to neutralise before treatment.

Reduces neutralisation chemical requirements

Yogurt Wastewater Treatment Considerations

pH Management

Acidic streams (pH 3.8-4.6) require neutralisation before advanced biological treatment. Use equalization tanks to blend acidic and alkaline streams.

High Sugar Content

Fruit preparation waste contains 10-30% sugar, creating rapid BOD spikes. Extended aeration or SBR systems recommended.

Starter Culture

High bacterial content can affect treatment process. Pre-screening and controlled addition to biological system recommended.

Foaming Potential

High protein content combined with surfactants from CIP creates foaming. Antifoam systems and proper aeration design essential.

Recommended Equipment

Yogurt & Fermented Product Solutions

DAF Flotation Systems

Remove milk solids, fruit particles, and fats from yogurt and cultured product wastewater. Chemical conditioning handles acidic effluents from fermentation processes.

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Screw Presses

Dewater biological sludge from yogurt wastewater treatment to 18-22% dry solids. Compact footprint suitable for dairy plants with limited space.

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Lamella Separators

Compact sedimentation for suspended solids removal from yogurt wash water and fruit processing. Ideal for facilities with limited treatment area.

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MBBR Reactors

Moving bed biofilm reactors treat high-strength yogurt whey and CIP effluent with robust biofilm. Handles acidic pH variations and variable organic loading.

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Equalization Tanks

Buffer variable flows from batch yogurt production and strained yogurt (Greek style) whey dumping. pH neutralisation protects downstream biological treatment.

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Process Tanks

pH neutralisation and chemical conditioning for acidic fermentation wastewater and alkaline CIP effluents. Automated dosing maintains optimal pH for biological treatment.

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Aeration & Oxygen Transfer

Aeration accounts for 50–70 % of a biological plant’s electrical Operating expenditure — designing it well is the single largest lifetime saving.

Need help with yogurt & fermented products?

Our experts can design a system tailored to your specific requirements.

Industries We Serve

Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.