Food
-
processing wastewater can be characterized as nontoxic, because it contains few
hazardous and persistent compounds. With the exception of some toxic cleaning products,
wastewater from food
-
processing facilities is orga
nic and can be treated by conventional
biological technologies. Part of the problem with the food
-
processing industry’s use and
discharge of large amounts of water is that it is located in rural areas in which the water
treatment systems (i.e., potable and
wastewater systems) are designed to serve small
populations. As a result, one medium
-
sized plant can have a major effect on local water