Omega Protein Corporation has developed processes to conserve about 18 million gallons of water annually by reclaiming water through the processing of fish, rather than removing that water from the ground, the company says. The water is treated and then used in the plant to wash down equipment and used to seal the vacuum pump in the company’s evaporator.
As part of its water-conservation efforts, the company recently installed a Dupps evaporator (pictured) at its Reedville, Va. facility, which it says is the first of its kind in North America. Omega Protein says this evaporator alone saves about 2.1 million gallons of groundwater annually.
The nutritional product company that produces omega-3 fish oil and specialty protein products says water reclamation and reuse is just one of environmental initiatives undertaken at its Reedville, Va. facility in recent years. Omega Protein puts the price tag on these upgrades at well over $20 million.
Some of these projects include:
Under a pilot program, the company will install new toilets, aerators and shower heads at five properties, upgrades that will save an estimated $180,00 in gas and water bills annually. Peabody expects the return on investment to be two years or less.
Peabody Properties has also reduced energy use by 5 million kWh, saving the real estate firm $1 million in electricity costs annually through a building retrofit program led WegoWise.
