Partnering with POTWs to Use P2 to Achieve Industrial Phosphorus Reduction

1. Partnering with POTWs to Use P2 to Achieve Industrial Phosphorus Reduction Cindy McComas University of Minnesota—MnTAP 612-624-4678 mccom003@umn.edu

2. High flow Non point 90 % Point source 10 % Low flow 36 % 64 % Point vs Non Point Phosphorus Sources--Minnesota River Basin

3. Challenges Facing WWTFs • Reduce phosphorus and other pollutant loading • Prepare Phosphorus Management Plans • Meet 1 mg/L limit • Aging systems

4. Three Strategies for Phosphorus Reduction • Industrial/commercial/institutional • Residential education • Removal at POTW

5. Industrial Assistance Approach • Contact with POTWs in three basins: Upper and Lower Mississippi Rivers, Minnesota River • Identify industrial phosphorus contributors • Provide phosphorus reduction assistance to industrial contributors (site visits, interns, teams)

6. MnTAP, University of Minnesota • Site visits • Student interns • Facilitated industry teams • Resources for mercury elimination

7. Industrial Sources of Phosphorus • Metal conversion coatings (prior to painting) • Food processing and food waste • Cleaning and sanitizing operations

8. Electrolux, St. Cloud • Manufactures freezers • Switched two cleaning/conversion coating lines to no phosphorus • Reduced phosphorus by 90% from 42 lb/day to below 5 lb/day

9. Bongards Creameries, Norwood • Butter, cheese and whey powder • Changes: • clean in place systems • dry cleanup prior to wet cleanup • installed level sensors on tanks • Reduced phosphorus by 60% from 150 lb/day to 60 lb/day

10. Schwan Food Company, Marshall • Frozen foods • Switched to low/ no P cleaners and sanitizers • Reduced P from 36 lb/day to 13 lb/day; 8,400 lb/yr • 30% reduction at the same time as a 31% increase in flow

11. Industrial Loading Impact on POTW • City of Richmond and meat locker • Wastewater treatment plant went from influent of 11.25 ppm (9.4 lb/day) to 5 ppm (4.2 lb/day) • Meat locker reduced 1,092 lb phosphorus/yr by keeping material off the floor and moving to no-phosphorus cleaners

12. Activity Results • Contacts: 200 POTWs 131 industrial facilities • Site visits: 62 POTWs 113 industries • Intern projects: 7

13. Outcome Results • Reduced • Phosphorus 65,950 lb • BOD/TSS 7.5 million lb • Water 104 million gal • Cost savings to businesses • $3.2 million

14. Lessons Learned • Partnering with POTWs to reach industries • P2 is an effective tool to reduce P and other pollutants to POTWs • Regulatory requirements are motivators (PMP and P limits) • Industries save money due to more efficient use of raw materials • POTWs cut costs for chemical use

15. Next Steps—Community Wide Reduction Effort • Partner with cities • Inventory businesses • Educate business and residential contributors • Provide assistance to identify phosphorus reduction options • Measure reductions

16. Project Support • U.S. EPA Region 5 • The McKnight Foundation • Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency