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 Copy 1 
 
 PURIFICATION PLANT 
 
 FOR 
 
 CREAMERY WASTE 
 
 Issued by the 
 State Board of Health of Wisconsin 
 
 1913 
 
 Please preserve for future use. Copies of this pamphlet may 
 had on application to the Secretary of the State 
 Board of Health, Madison, Wisconsin. 
 
 MADISON, WIS. 
 
 Democrat Printing Company, State Pbintee 
 
 1913. 
 
c^4 
 
 D. OF D. 
 AUG 25 1913 
 
THE SANITARY DISPOSAL OF CREAMERY 
 
 WASTE 
 
 The owners of creameries and cheese factories in Wisconsin, 
 even under the most favorable conditions, are experiencing great 
 difficulty in disposing of the waste products so as to prevent the 
 creation of a nuisance or the pollution of streams and other bod- 
 ies of water. 
 
 This pamphlet is issued to assist in providing a proper system 
 for the disposal of creamery waste. Tie believe that this is an 
 exceedingly difficult problem and we trust that the suggestions 
 offered will aid in providing a sanitary method for disposing of 
 this waste material. Copies of this publication will be sent to 
 all persons interested in this subject upon request and, in addi- 
 tion, the State Board of Health invites correspondence with the 
 owners of creameries and cheese factories to the end that a satis- 
 factory system of disposing of waste will be provided. Please 
 read carefully the plans and specifications before any attempt 
 is made to install this system and, if possible, we also advise that 
 a sanitary engineer be consulted if there are unusual conditions 
 to be met. 
 
 In many cases the owners of cheese factories and creameries 
 make no effort to dispose of the washings and other waste from 
 the factory until an unbearable nuisance is created and the 
 health authorities, both local and state, have been appealed to 
 for assistance. 
 
 As a result of failure on the part of many creameries and 
 cheese factories to care for the waste material, nuisances are 
 created and an excellent breeding place for flies is provided. 
 This alone, when we consider the number of diseases which are 
 spread by flies, is sufficient reason for the adoption of a satis- 
 factory system for the disposal of all waste. 
 
 All pools of water accumulating about a cheese factory or 
 creamery, either resulting from rains or the wash water from 
 
— 4 — 
 
 the factory, become polluted, rendering the environment of such 
 factory unsanitary and often creating a nuisance. 
 
 It is essential, therefore, that every precaution be exercised 
 to prevent the collection of not only wash water, but all pools or 
 mudholes in or near the factory. 
 
 The factory buildings should be so located that proper drain- 
 age is provided on all sides for surface water, then by providing 
 a system as outlined in the plans and specifications herein in- 
 corporated, a great advance in the sanitary environment of 
 creameries and cheese factories will be made. 
 
 Windows and doors of such factories should be carefully 
 screened so as to exclude all flies from the interior of the factory. 
 By taking care of the unsanitary elements outside of the factory, 
 the elimination of the fly in the vicinity of such factories will be 
 accomplished and the fly nuisance, as well as other nuisances so 
 frequently complained of, will be abated. 
 
 In the past many of the cheese factories and creameries, which 
 have been inspected by the officials of the State Board of Health, 
 and also by representatives of local boards of health, show that 
 the wash water is frequently allowed to flow on the public high- 
 way in ditches, or accumulate in considerable quantities in some 
 stagnant pool. As result of this practice, the soil soon becomes 
 thoroughly saturated with such refuse material and during hot 
 weather a nuisance is created which is extremely objectionable, 
 not only to private residences located near such creameries or 
 cheese factories, but also to the general public who patronize the 
 factories or who are compelled to pass along highways. 
 
 By simple, positive care on the part of the owners or managers 
 of cheese factories or creameries, a great advance will be made 
 and the betterment of the business as a whole will be largely 
 advanced. 
 
 It is essential, therefore, that every cheese factory and cream- 
 ery in the state discontinue throwing its waste material in ditches 
 streams, along public highways, or in low places which will act 
 as a receptacle for such washings or refuse. 
 
 Similar plans for the purification of creamery waste that are 
 prepared by our Consulting Engineer have been thoroughly 
 tested by actual operation and, if the plant is properly con- 
 structed and operated, there is practically no danger of creat- 
 ing a nuisance in disposing of the waste material. 
 
In cases where the owners of cheese factories or creameries 
 neglect or fail to properly dispose of the wash water and other 
 waste from the creamery or cheese factory, the local boards of 
 health are requested to make an investigation of the complaint 
 and determine the character and the extent of the existing nuis- 
 ance. 
 
 Section 1414 (W. S. 1898) authorizes the local boards of 
 health to order the abatement of any and all nuisances under 
 their respective jurisdiction, whether they are connected with 
 creameries or cheese factories, or exist as result of the improper 
 handling of other vraste material. 
 
 The law authorizes the local health authorities to take charge 
 of such nuisances whether they exist on private property or 
 whether they are found on public highways or alleys. 
 
 In the case of Price vs. Oakfield, Highland Creamery Com-- 
 pany, Volume 87, "Wisconsin Reports, Page 536, the court states 
 that : "A creamery company will be enjoined from causing of- 
 fensive waste matter to flow upon another's pasture to its in- 
 jury. ' ' 
 
 The court in the case of Groene vs. Nunnemacher, 36 Wis., 
 Page 50, stated that: "Putting deleterious and offensive sub- 
 stances in a strer m is a nuisance and can be prohibited. ' ' 
 
 Section 3180 of the Revised Statutes of 1898 provides that 
 the Circuit Com ':s shall have jurisdiction of actions to recover 
 damages for and to abate private nuisances or a public nuisance 
 from which any person suffers a private or special injury. The 
 circuit court also has the authority to grant injunctions to pre- 
 sent the creation of a nuisance. 
 
 We realize that before systematic plans and specifications were 
 gotten out, that certain localities often experienced difficulties 
 in disposing of the waste product from creameries and cheese 
 factories. 
 
 Since there is available a satisfactory and also an economical 
 system for handling the waste material from creameries, the plea 
 that has been made heretofore can no longer be accepted and the 
 State Poard of Health will insist that the waste from creameries 
 and cheese factories of the state of Wisconsin must be disposed of 
 in a sanitary manner. 
 
 We are willing at any time to co-operate with the owner or 
 manager of any such industry and assist to the best of our ability 
 
— 6 — 
 
 in removing unsanitary conditions, the continuation of which 
 usually develops into a nuisance. The object of this circular is 
 to point out the way for every creamery and cheese factory not 
 having a proper system for disposing of its waste material to 
 install, at a very small expense, a system that we are confident, 
 if properly handled, will prove satisfactory and extremely eco- 
 nomical in the end. The great dairying industry of this state, 
 and the reputation that this state has for its dairy products, 
 demands that the factories be operated on a higher plane from 
 a sanitary and hygienic point of view. 
 
 Plans for Purification of Creamery Waste, 
 general description. 
 
 The plan consists essentially of three parts ; a double story set- 
 tling tank, a filter and a dry well. In localities where there is a 
 flowing stream, drainage ditch, pond or lake of sufficient size, or 
 any place where only a partial purification is desired, it may be 
 possible to use only the double story settling tank. In places 
 where greater purity is essential, either or both the filter and 
 dry well should be added. If the final disposal is to a ditch, 
 stream, lake or pond, use the filter. If the final disposal is to be 
 by percolation into the ground and the soil is a very coarse sand 
 or gravel, the filter may be omitted, but if the soil is clay or a 
 sandy clay or only a small amount of sand or gravel in the bot- 
 tom of the dry well, then all three parts of the plant should be 
 installed. If in doubt as to the best combination, you had better 
 seek further advice from this Board or from a competent sani- 
 tary engineer. 
 
 The settling tank is designed for a maximum of 400 pounds 
 of butter per day and a maximum of 750 gallons of liquid per 
 day. If you are wasting a greater amount of liquid than the 
 above, the upper tank will have to be enlarged. If you are 
 making more than an average of 400 pounds per day, then the 
 lower tank will have to be enlarged. The solid contents of the 
 lower tank should be pumped out once every three or four months 
 no matter what amount of butter you are making. If you waste 
 less liquid than 750 gallons and make less than 400 pounds of 
 butter per day, the tank could be made smaller, but it would be 
 preferable to leave it as designed unless the difference in capacity 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2011 with funding from 
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 http://www.archive.org/details/purificationplanOOwisc 
 
between creamery and the capacity provided for in this plant 
 were very great and it was absolutely necessary to economize. 
 
 The above reasoning should apply to the filter as well. It 
 can readily be made larger by lengthening it. To economize 
 in the cost of the plant where the tank and filter are both used, 
 the outlet end wall of the tank can be the same as the inlet 
 end of the filter. 
 
 As creamery waste is always acid, it will aid in the purifi- 
 cation of the waste products to install a small receptacle con- 
 taining milk of lime directly over the drainage channel in the 
 creamery where it leaves the building and allow a small amount 
 to drip into the channel or, if this is not practical or is inconven- 
 ient, put lumps of lime in the channel where the water may 
 flow over it. 
 
 In localities where the care taker lives over the creamery, it 
 would be adviseable to have the waste from the kitchen sink, 
 bath room and water closet drain into the tank; or if this is 
 impossible, place the outside water closet directly over the tank. 
 
 "Where the tank is used alone, a single outlet pipe is suffi- 
 cient but where the filter is used also, two pipes will be used 
 as shown on the plans of the filter. 
 
 Operation of Plant. 
 
 The iiow thru the tank will be continuous while the creamery 
 is in operation. The flow thru the filter should be intermittent, 
 that is, the valve on the outlet should be opened every evening 
 after operations for the day are complete and it should be 
 closed every morning before the plant starts. 
 
 The lower compartment of the settling tank should be pumped 
 out. by placing a pitcher spout pump on the vertical sludge 
 pipe once every three or four months. The contents m ; ake 
 a good fertilizer for gardens. 
 
 Specifications for Purification Plant for Creamery Waste. 
 
 Tank: The settling tank is to be constructed in two com- 
 partments, one above the other so arranged that the solid matter 
 in the wash water will settle out and drop thru the slot in the 
 upper tank. Care should be taken to see that the slot does not 
 project vertically over the lower compartment. It is essential 
 
— 8 — 
 
 that no gases or floating material in the lower tank should rise 
 into the upper tank. 
 
 Cement: The cement may be any of the following brands 
 of American Portland Cement: Medusa, Atlas, Lehigh, Vulcan- 
 ite, Universal, Whitehall, Alpha, Marquette, Chicago A.A. or 
 Owl. 
 
 Sand : The sand to be used as a part of the gravel shall be 
 taken from the pit and must be free from loam, sticks or other 
 organic matter. All soil found in pockets, or that over-lying 
 the gravel bed in the pit must be excluded. 
 
 Gravel and Sand: The gravel used for making concrete 
 shall consist of sand and small stones not over one ' and one- 
 half inches in diameter. The amount of sand present should 
 be at least 40% but not over 50%. The gravel should be clean 
 and free from dust and other foreign matter which would im- 
 pair the strength of the concrete. 
 
 Steel Kods : The steel used shall be V2" round rods in 
 lengths convenient for the work and of a quality used on other 
 similar concrete work. 
 
 Concrete : The concrete for the tank shall be composed 
 of one part cement mixed with 6 parts of gravel or, if crushed 
 stone is used, it shall be a 1 :3 :5 concrete. 
 
 The concrete shall be mixed on a substantial platform of 
 planks or boards securely fastened together so that the various 
 materials of the concrete can be kept entirely free from ad- 
 mixture of foreign matter. A sufficient quantity of wiater 
 must be added to form a good paste. The amount mixed at 
 one time shall not exceed that amount which can be used up 
 before the cement has time to set. The use of a concrete mixer 
 is preferred. 
 
 Plasterings When the tank walls are thoroughly set, they 
 shall be thoroughly cleaned and a coating of one-half inch of 
 Portland cement mortar plaster, mixed 1:1, shall be applied to 
 the bottom and side walls. 
 
 Cement Wash : After plastering, there shall be applied 
 with a broom to the bottom and side walls of said tank, a wash 
 of neat Portland cement mixed with water and applied as thick 
 as it can be put on. 
 
 Forms : The earth bank, unless caved in, shall be used for 
 the outside form of the concrete work. The inside forms for 
 
— y — 
 
 the side walls shall be V r boards or 2" plank, whichever may- 
 be most convenient. These shall be lightly nailed to 2 x 4 
 studding spaced 4' or less cc. 
 
 Valve-. The outlet valve to the contact filter will be a 3" 
 stop cock of standard make and with threaded ends. The top 
 of the plug should have a hole in it to which the handle may 
 be attached. 
 
 Filter : The water contained in the contact filter will be 
 removed by means of 3" drain tile laid in the bottom of the 
 filter. They shall be laid as close together as possible and the 
 joints shall be covered with pieces of burlap. The drain tile 
 will be surrounded with stone l 1 /-?" or more in diameter taken 
 from the gravel. 
 
 Troughs: The troughs for the distribution of the effluent 
 over the filter shall be made of 1" cypress 6"wide and 8' long. 
 Each trough will have 16 1" holes drilled in the same, accord- 
 ing to the dimensions given. The troughs shall be put in place 
 after the filter has been filled with coke, and shall have a slope 
 of 2" across the filter as shown on the plans. 
 
 Coke: The coke may be purchased from any commercial 
 gas plant, but shall contain no pieces smaller than 1" in diam- 
 eter. It shall be sound, clean and of good quality. Or in 
 place of coke, if a sufficient amount of coarse clinkers could 
 be obtained, they could be substituted. 
 
 Cover : The cover of the tank and filter shall be made of a 
 good quality of pine or cypress planks 2" thick. They should 
 be reasonably straight so as to leave no large openings for dirt 
 to fall into the tank. These planks should be nailed together 
 with strips of 1" board. A portion over the manhole into the 
 lower chamber and a piece 3' x 8' over the lower end of the 
 tank shall be made in the form of doors with the necessary- 
 hinges. Holes should be made in the cover for the air and 
 ventilator pipes. 
 
 The covers should not be put in place until all of the work 
 upon the tank has been completed, including the placing of 
 the coke. 
 
 Dry "Well. 
 
 Excavation: Dig a hole 4' 10" square and 6 r more or less 
 deep at the location chosen for the purification plant. Put in 
 a form of boards or planks so as to make a 6" wall. 
 
— 10 — 
 
 Concrete Wauls: Fill in the 6" wall space with concrete 
 mixed the same as that specified for the tanks and filter. When 
 the concrete has set sufficiently, remove the forms. 
 
 Curbing and Excavation.- The remainder of the well is to 
 be curbed up with 1" x 6" cypress boards used in the same 
 manner as those used for curbing up wells in the regular way. 
 
 The ends of the curbing will be notched so as to leave a tenon 
 V' x 3" and cut iy 2 " from the top of the boards. On two 
 sides of the well at the top one-half boards must be used. As 
 this curbing is put in place, the earth within the well will be 
 removed in the usual manner. When a depth of V 6" has 
 been reached, the curbing board will be put in place on two 
 sides of the well, which has its lower edge beveled %". 
 Directly below this board will be placed another one having 
 a top edge beveled %". This will leave a slot in the curb- 
 ing from y 2 to %" in width, depending upon the exact width 
 of the curbing boards. When a depth of 2' 3" has been 
 reached, similar boards will be placed on the two opposite 
 sides of the well. The same operation will be repeated every 
 third board on each side of the well until four slots have been 
 formed on each side of the well. The excavation will then be 
 continued, using plain curbing, until a depth of 18' has been 
 reached or until sand or gravel is reached, if it is not encoun-. 
 tered at a higher level. If ground water level is reached, it 
 will do little or no good to excavate below it. 
 
 Collector Troughs: After the excavation has been com- 
 pleted, cypress boards V x 6" to 10" in width will be beveled, 
 as shown in the plans, cut to the exact length and nailed just 
 below each one of the slots. The &' boards will be placed on 
 the four upper slots and the 6" ones on the next four slots, 
 and so on, until the last one will have 8" boards. 
 
 These collector troughs should be supported at each end by 
 nailing cleats to the opposite sides of the well curb. Care 
 should be taken that the joints should be made as nearly water 
 tight as possible so as to force all the water to flow out thru the 
 narrow slot. Below the collector troughs the curbing should 
 be braced by nailing 1" x 4" strips vertically in each corner 
 of the well. 
 
 Inlet Pipe : The inlet pipe will be 3" or 4" wrot iron pipe 
 of a length sufficient to reach from the outside of the contact 
 filter to the center of the dry- well. The -end of the inlet pipe 
 
— 11 — 
 
 will be turned down with a 3" or 4" elbow and end in a 
 nipple. 
 
 Deflector : Water entering the dry well will be collected 
 into the collector troughs by means of a pyramidal galvanized 
 iron deflector. The deflector will be 2' square on the base by 
 1' high with side slopes of 45 degrees in all directions. The 
 deflector will be supported upon 1" x 4" strips placed diagon- 
 ally across the well at the bottom of the concrete. These may 
 be held in place by wedges or by cleats nailed from the curb- 
 ing up to the strip. 
 
 Cover : The cover for the dry well will consist of 2" plank 
 nailed together with 1" strips. For purpose of inspection two 
 or more planks should be nailed together to form a trap door. 
 
 ESTIMATE OF MATERIALS. 
 
 Settling Tank. 
 
 8.6 cu. yd. concrete. 
 388' y>2 f round rods. 
 160 Board ft. of 2" plank. 
 
 3'-3" W. I. pipe with 8-1" holes. 
 1-3" elbow; lr-3" to 2" reducer; 1-2" cap. 
 ll'-2" W. I. pipe. 
 4 hinges. 
 
 Filter Bed- 
 4.2 cu. yds. concrete. 
 230'-%" round rods. 
 6240 pounds coke. 
 
 7'-3 drain tile ; 4%'-3" vitrified pipe. \ 
 
 l'-3" vitrified elbow; 1 C. I. 3" air vent. 
 8'-%" gas pipe ; . 1-3" stop cock with 8" stem. 
 144 board ft. of 2" plank. 
 16 board ft. of 2" cypress plank. 
 
 Dry Well. 
 2 cu. yds. concrete, 
 56 board ft. of 2" plank. 
 1 galvanized iron deflector. 
 1-3" or 4" W. I. pipe elbow. 
 1-3" or 4" W. I. nipple. 
 250 board ft. of 1" cypress. 
 
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