A Commitment to Water Conservation
Water is an invaluable resource, and its sustainable management is essential for the well-being of our planet and future generations. At Idaho Milk Products, we recognize the critical importance of conserving water and have taken proactive steps to address this issue.
We have implemented various innovative techniques and practices to significantly reduce our water consumption. By prioritizing water conservation, we contribute to environmental sustainability while enhancing our operational efficiency, ensuring a better future for all.
.avif)
Leveraging natural resources
One of the key strategies we employ at our company is to take full advantage of the natural water resource found within the incoming milk. By utilizing this valuable water, we can significantly decrease our dependence on the municipal water supply. This approach promotes sustainability and enhances our operational efficiency in the food processing industry.
In addition to our efforts, we pretreat the water before it is discharged into the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).
This circular approach helps us manage our water usage effectively and ensures that we have a minimal impact on our local water resources, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in our operations.
Tracking and measuring progress
To maintain accountability and foster continuous improvement within our operations, we diligently track and report on essential water metrics. These metrics include the total volume of water withdrawn, the amount recycled, and the volume discharged.
We also compare our performance to industry standards. Our goal is to meet and exceed the expectations in our field.
Our long-term objective is closely aligned with the broader industry vision for 2050, which emphasizes the importance of optimizing water usage, maximizing recycling efforts, and enhancing water quality. By adhering to these principles, we aim to contribute positively to sustainable practices within the dairy industry.
Key water metrics
Between the years 2023 and 2024, our company made significant strides in our water management practices. We successfully lowered the volume of water withdrawn from our operations, decreasing it from 0.89 to 0.86 thousand gallons per metric ton of production. This reduction reflects our commitment to sustainability and efficient resource use.
Additionally, we observed a significant increase in our surplus water, which rose from 0.21 to 0.56 thousand gallons per metric ton of production. This increase underscores our enhanced water conservation efforts and illustrates our ability to manage resources more effectively.
As a result of these changes, the volume of water discharged from our facility also increased, moving from 1.10 to 1.41 thousand gallons per metric ton of production, showcasing our ongoing commitment to responsible water management.
This helps us align with industry best practice, be an efficient water user in our community, and work to supply our local water system as we strive to be a net positive contributor. Our process uniquely positions our influence on water efficiency due to our ability to capture, use, clean, and discharge (once pretreated) cow water.
A sustainable future
Idaho Milk Products is committed to a sustainable future and will continue to adapt our water conservation strategies as the landscape of water scarcity evolves. By embracing innovative technologies and responsible practices, we aim to minimize our environmental footprint and contribute to the preservation of our precious water resources.