A destination winery on the shores of Lake Erie turned to Tsurumi and Enereau to solve a growing challenge with wastewater management.
For many years, Sprucewood Shores Winery, an award-winning estate winery, faced obstacles when handling their wastewater. Prior to consulting Enereau, a wastewater treatment system supplier and Tsurumi Pump distributor, the winery was discharging its wastewater through an on-site holding tank. The holding tank required frequent hauling, resulting in increased operational costs and significant time spent coordinating. As regulations shifted, this approach became costly and unsustainable, prompting the winery to search for a long-term solution. The winery set out in search for a solution that allowed the wastewater to be safely treated on site, while discharging it into their existing septic system.
To help Sprucewood Shores achieve this goal, Enereau designed a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system, custom to fit the winery’s needs. By converting the winery’s holding tank into an equalization pretreatment system, the wastewater could be pumped into an MBR. The MBR was housed above ground in a 14-by-16-foot shed, taking up minimal space on the property. The system features Tsurumi’s VANCS™ submersible resin pumps and TRN submersible jet aspirating aerators. It operates by pretreating the wastewater, removing 98-99% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). This dramatically reduces the strength of the wastewater, ensuring compliance with regulations while limiting environmental impact. The treated water is then released into an existing septic field for final purification. Afterwards, it can safely be discharged to the subsurface.
Without proper treatment, wineries and breweries risk overwhelming septic fields, leading to costly failures and environmental damage. Wastewater that contains high levels of BOD and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) can quickly blind off natural ground percolation if not managed correctly.
With the MBR in place, Sprucewood Shores now has a reliable, environmentally responsible wastewater system that supports their operations. The project allows the winery to efficiently manage its wastewater while continuing to serve guests.
To download the story, click here