Pesticides

About 450 pesticides are approved for use in the EU. They contain organic molecules from several chemical families, e.g., glyphosate from phosphonic acid and atrazine from triazine.

Many of these molecules are known to require treatment on environmental grounds. Their chemistry ranges from being very acidic to alkaline. You have AOX including chlorinated, fluorinated, or toxic compounds that must be removed to protect aquatic life and the human food chain. Together, these compounds may be measured as COD or BOD. Their removal is essential to keep waterways aerated and healthy.

Desotec’s mobile activated carbon filtration solutions provide simple and sustainable answers to all these issues, ensuring that water is safe for discharge or reuse.

Desotec’s mobile filters are easy to use on farms. Their small footprint makes them ideal for busy agricultural sites, while their simple technology means they do not require operators in situ.

Pesticides are found in waters resulting from rinsing tools and machinery. This wastewater may be pooled and passed over the filters. Unlike many alternative technologies, activated carbon is suitable for batch treatments. Once treated by activated carbon, the water is safe for industrial reuse (e.g., washing or cooling equipment). Alternatively, it can also be discharged to the environment or sent to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for further purification .

Where pesticides have entered the groundwater through rainfall run-off or by seeping into the soil, remediation is required. Groundwater is pumped up and passed through the filters before being returned to the land. As Desotec filters are mobile, they are well suited to both long-term and temporary applications, e.g., where spills have occurred.

Rinsing waters from manufacturing may contain high concentrations of pesticides. In food processing, wastewater from rinsing fruit and vegetables may also contain traces of pesticides. Failing to reduce the pesticides load before sending wastewater to WWTPs would kill off the bacteria used in biofilters. Desotec filters provide effective pre-treatment, allowing for safe discharge of the wastewater to the sewer. It may also be possible to reuse it, boosting sustainability and driving down customers’ costs.

The EU Water Framework Directive sets quality standards for surface and groundwater. These are regulated through national and regional legislation as well as COD, BOD, and AOX limits.

Municipal WWTPs also set acceptance limits for COD and AOX concentrations in wastewater.

In general, laws and WWTP limits are becoming ever stricter. By installing Desotec’s modular filtration solutions, you can future-proof your agricultural business today.