Guide to good practice for increased water reuse in the dairy industry

Purpose and goal:

The purpose of this project was to produce a basis for revising the industry guidelines on water use in the dairy sector. The goal was to develop a better and clearer basis for where and how to make water use more efficient in food production in the dairy sector, without compromising the quality and safety of food. Relevant background information has been compiled, processed and discussed, which has resulted in a finished proposal for a revised industry guideline that will now be reviewed and approved by the Swedish Food Agency.

Expected results and effects:

Once approved, the revised industry guidelines will be used directly by companies in their own efforts to accelerate the adoption of, and reduce the risk of, water-saving measures. They will also serve as scientific background and source of knowledge in the contact between companies and authorities in risk assessments regarding water reuse.

As a result of a change in the guidelines (within the project) and after the implementation of an increased reuse of the water at the dairies (after the project), the drinking water demand is expected to decrease significantly. Approach and implementation:

RISE participated as the main executor, LRF Mjölk as the policy owner, together with the dairy industry (Arla Foods, Gäsene mejeri and Norrmejerier as project partners, as well as another seven dairy companies as active participants).

Through literature searches and dialogue in the project group, background information was collected and processed. Dialogue was held with the Swedish Food Agency. The material was adapted to industry guideline formats, which resulted in a final version that is to be approved by the Swedish Food Agency before it can be implemented by the industry.