Anaerobic digester planned for Napa Valley winery waste

A $15 million high-rate anaerobic digester that can recycle 100 million gallons of winery and vineyard waste is headed for American Canyon, California.

Napa Valley wineries and vineyards will no longer need to worry about the hassle and expense of onsite treatment, odors, septic tanks, leach fields, or wastewater ponds tying up valuable vine land. Their waste can now be recycled locally and on a daily basis if needed.

The System development by Veolia Waters North America is specifically designed to recycle winery and vineyard waste streams.

The project is backed by an environmental investment group focusing on Napa Valley and its entrepreneurs. The biodigester uses anaerobic bacteria to break down grape skins and other matter within the wastewater, ridding it of much of its wastes within 24 hours. The treated water may be used in vineyard irrigation.

A breakdown of the waste stream shows items such as: wine and juice, barrel wash, wine lees, waste water screenings, pond sludge, cooling tower blowdown, water softener concentrate, ion exchange rejects, boiler blowdown, acid caustic rinse water and high salinity waste would be eliminated from landfills and instead be converted into clean energy.

Wineries, vineyards and wastewater generators wanting an inexpensive recycling and disposal solution close to home should contact: Stuart Garret at 760-272-6377 or email at sfgume@aol.com to reserve space for their waste.