Bongards Creameries honored with 2020 Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award
The award, presented by the Central States Water Environment Association, recognizes achievements at Bongards’ Perham, Minn., natural cheese plant.
In early November, the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA) recognized Chanhassen, Minn.-based Bongards Creameries with the 2020 Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award. Bongards said the award was presented at the CSWEA 35th Annual Conference on the Environment in recognition of its waste reduction goals, wastewater treatment success, water reuse and other environmental initiatives at their Perham, Minn., natural cheese production plant.
As plant capacity has increased in recent years, Bongards has made continuous improvements to its wastewater treatment programs and facilities, increasing capacity and monitoring capabilities. Once treated, the wastewater is used to irrigate local fields. In addition, the company said it was able to repurpose a cheese production byproduct that was previously discarded, generating a nutrient source that is valuable for animal feed.