Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/72545
MANAGEMENT New Winery Wastewater Systems Have Smaller Footprints Lyve systems offer cost and environmental benefits for wineries By Ted Rieger, senior feature editor inery wastewater systems designed in a modular format, with a smaller footprint, are provid- ing cost savings and environmen- tal benefits for several California wineries. The new systems fea- ture efficient operation and simple installation compared with tradi- tional models. Lyve Winery Wastewater Sys- tems, ranging in processing capaci- ties from 6,000 gallons per day (gpd) to 200,000 gpd, are installed at five Napa Valley wineries – Alpha Omega Winery, Caymus Vineyards, Chappellet Winery, Rombauer Vine- yards and Trinchero Family Estates – and are planned for three more Napa Valley wineries, including Darioush. Lyve began operation in New Zealand in 2006 under company owner and chief engineer Wayne August. Lyve systems are installed at two New Zealand wineries: Craggy Range and Elephant Hill Estate. August said the company hopes to expand its market to other U.S. wine regions, and has talked with wineries in Europe, Australia and China. "The technology we use is an aerobic activated sludge system, a basic and proven technology used in many municipal and industrial wastewater systems worldwide," he said. "This is a continuous sys- tem that operates 24/7 to sus- tain activity even when little or no wastewater flow is coming from the winery." Citing an advantage, August said, "Our systems have a small footprint compared with larger aer- ation ponds and leach fields used with other systems, to allow bet- ter utilization of valuable vineyard land or winery production space." He also observed, "As a company, we focus on having a good under- standing of the biology to monitor This aeration basin at Trinchero Family Estates is one of two for the winery's Lyve wastewater system. Photo: Ted Rieger 90 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT JULY - AUG 2012 WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM