Water Recycling & Reclamation Systems

What Are Water Recycling & Reclamation Systems?

Water recycling systems treat and reclaim water from various dairy sources—milking parlor washwater, cooling systems, manure treatment, and lagoons—for reuse in non-potable applications. These systems reduce freshwater consumption, lower water costs, and help farms meet environmental regulations on water use and discharge.

Why Water Recycling Matters

Dairy farms are significant water users, consuming 30-50 gallons per cow daily for drinking, plus substantial volumes for parlor cleaning, cow cooling, and sanitation. In water-scarce regions or areas with strict discharge regulations, recycling water is both an economic and environmental necessity.

Key Benefits

• Reduced water costs: Lower freshwater purchase or pumping expenses
• Regulatory compliance: Meet discharge limits and water use restrictions
• Drought resilience: Less dependence on limited water supplies
• Environmental stewardship: Reduce impact on local water resources
• Nutrient recovery: Some systems capture nutrients during treatment

Types of Water Recycling Systems

Parlor Washwater Recycling

Systems that treat milking parlor washwater for reuse in initial parlor washing, cow cooling, or alley flushing. Can reduce parlor water use by 50-70%.

Lagoon Water Treatment

Treatment systems that process lagoon water to quality suitable for irrigation or cow cooling. May include screening, biological treatment, and disinfection.

Advanced Treatment for Potable Reuse

Sophisticated systems using membrane filtration and advanced oxidation to produce near-potable quality water. Rare in dairy but emerging for extreme water scarcity situations.

Plate Cooler Water Recovery

Simple systems that capture and reuse water from milk plate coolers, which is only slightly warmed and requires minimal treatment.

Treatment Technologies

• Solids separation: Screens and settling to remove particulates
• Biological treatment: Lagoons or engineered systems to break down organic matter
• Filtration: Sand, disc, or membrane filters to remove suspended solids
• Disinfection: UV, chlorine, or ozone to kill pathogens
• Nutrient removal: Specialized systems to remove nitrogen and phosphorus

Is Water Recycling Right for Your Farm?

Consider water recycling if:

• Water costs are significant (>$2-3 per 1,000 gallons)
• Water supply is limited or unreliable
• Discharge regulations limit lagoon or washwater disposal
• Expansion is constrained by water availability
• Sustainability goals include water conservation

Water recycling may not be necessary if:

• Abundant, inexpensive water is available
• No regulatory pressure on water use or discharge
• Limited capital for infrastructure investment

Cost Considerations

Simple plate cooler recovery systems cost $5,000-15,000. Parlor washwater recycling systems range from $25,000-75,000. Comprehensive lagoon treatment systems for irrigation reuse can cost $100,000-500,000+ depending on capacity and treatment level. Operating costs include energy, chemicals, and maintenance. ROI depends heavily on local water costs and regulatory requirements—farms paying $5+ per 1,000 gallons often see 3-5 year paybacks on basic recycling systems.