waste water management

[cseger1]

We are in the process of building a milk barn and cheese kitchen. We are planning to milk between 25 and 30 goats. Our current septic system is teetering on the brink of being overloaded with just me and the Mrs. so we can't use it for the dairy. What are y'all doing with the waste water from cleaning dairy equipment? We will compost most byproducts but I don't think we can use the soapy water on the compost. Please post your thoughts.

[Liese]

if you are milking that many goats I would be thinking your are dairying, either grade A or B and your state will be regulating your septic system for your parlor. Guess I don't understand, if you are in the process of building didn't your state's Ag dept approve the plan, site and make septic requirements? Here in NC they are very pro small farm dairying, both cow & goat, but even then there are requirements that must be met for the eventual sale of fluid milk or cheese.

[cseger1]

Sorry, we aren't building yet, still in the design phase. Our state health services inspector told me for Grade A Raw, he didn't care about anything but the samples. If the samples are clean we can set it up however we like. The rulse state we must have a restroom for the inspector but he said we didn,t need it. If we have to install a septic system we will then be at the mercy of the county septic inspectors.

The rules further state that the method of cleaning the dairy is immaterial. We don't even need running water. Wierd.

The only mention of liquid waste is this:

Liquid waste must be disposed of in a sanitary manner. All floor drains must be accessible and shall be trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer system.

It seems like its up to us to decide how to do it.

[james dilley]

In A lot of states Port-A-potties are legal to set up and use, What about holding tanks for the grey water. That water can then be let filter thru medias and then be used for irrigating A small feild

[cseger1]

That is sort of the way I am leaning. A settling tank and some filtration and then onto the compost or fields.

[Liese]

My goodness, your state (which one by the way?) is very lenient! Since you have asked specifically about the grey water from washing your tank, pastuerizer, etc. then you might want to investigate what cleaners you will be using first. Some may break down better than others or have different aspects that then you could plan your filtration for. The waste water runs; with grasses, cattails, grasses leading to a small pond, that are seen on permaculture sites might work nicely and add to the asthetics.

[cseger1]

We will be using Ecolab's dairy wash. I need to do some more research about it specifically. I don't want tosay publically what state I am in because the inspector I mentioned really wouldn't dig it. Probably paranoid, but he has been super cool about not forcing us to buy expensive gear as long as we are keeping everything clean. Suffice it to say we are very pro business and don't have a great environmental record. I want to make sure we are doing the right thing for the land.

[gregbaka]

Since you're in the design phase, look into using a small digester to turn the animal (and perhaps milk?) waste into fuel (similar to natural gas).

The solids and liquids left over are great fertilizers - and safe.

Some places use the gas for heat, others run a small generator with it.

Start with a Google search on "Methane Digester Dairy"

Also see:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_...ers/MDToC.html
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_.../fryintvu.html
http://www.viacorp.com/bio-gas.html

just food for thought

Greg
Grub Hoes and Fork Hoes
Heavy duty garden digging tools complete with 5 ft handle.

[Mid Tn Mama]

Here you go: Try this:

http://www.willystreet.coop/newslett...edargrove.html

[KRH]

Ecolab has good products but they are very expensive. It may take a bit of searching depending on your area but there are not only cheaper but "greener" options out there that are FDA approved for foodplant cleaning. There are sanitizers approved for final rinse as well so you can use less water during cleanup.