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O-Zo Fresh Processing

With no access to mains water, Red Cliffs’ O-Zo Fresh Processing created its own water supply to operate its asparagus processing plant - and recycles 100 per cent of water used.

O-ZoFreshProcessing

“Not only do we draw our own natural water source, we are using our water twice. Initially it is cleansed for food processing and then recycled for citrus orchard irrigation in a form that’s environmentally sustainable,” say Robin and Andrea Minter, Directors of O-Zo Fresh Processing.

One water treatment plant cleans non-potable river water to food processing quality; the other is centrally placed between the citrus orchard and processing plant to maximise the distribution of recycled water for irrigation.

In the processing plant, a hydro-cooler system chills and washes the asparagus then removes taints, smells, colours, hardness or sugars from the water for re-use.

Other initiatives include gravity-fed water flow techniques for a more efficient circulation process and weather stations to record water penetration depths, evaporation and soil temperature.

“Our water-saving measures are positively influencing suppliers of fresh asparagus, as well as tourists who regularly visit our processing facility and adjoining asparagus farm,” says Robin Minter.