the beer farm pty ltd · 2018. 6. 1. · the beer farm pty ltd(the beer farm a beer) is and cider...

THE BEER FARM PTY LTD

MARCH 2018

LICENCE APPLICATION – WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

Telephone +618 9755 7217

[email protected] PO Box 5178 West Busselton WA 6280

ABN 11 160 028 642

www.accendoaustralia.com.au

Document Control Version Date Author Reviewer

V1 6/03/2017 PN KMT V2 4/04/2017 PN KMT V3 20/04/2017 KMT DER V4 21/03/2018 KMT DWER Filename 1709_Licence WWTS

mailto:[email protected]

The Beer Farm Licence Application – Wastewater Treatment System

1709_Licence WWTS_V4 2018 Version 4 i

CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................1

1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT ......................................................................................................1

1.3 PROPONENT INFORMATION .........................................................................................................2

2 REGULATORY CONTEXT ........................................................................................................ 3

2.1 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION ...........................................3

3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................... 4

3.1 TOPOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................................4

3.2 LANDFORMS AND SOILS ................................................................................................................4

3.3 ACID SULFATE SOILS ........................................................................................................................4

3.4 HYDROLOGY.....................................................................................................................................4

3.4.1 Surface Water .................................................................................................................................... 4

3.4.2 Groundwater ..................................................................................................................................... 5

3.5 FLORA AND VEGETATION ..............................................................................................................5

4 WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM ....................................................................................... 6

4.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................6

4.2 DESIGN ...............................................................................................................................................6

5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT .............................................................. 9

5.1 DISCHARGES TO LAND ...................................................................................................................9

5.2 DISCHARGES TO WATER ................................................................................................................9

5.3 SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE .............................................................................................................9

5.4 NOISE EMISSIONS .............................................................................................................................9

5.5 ODOUR EMISSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 10

5.6 DUST EMISSIONS ............................................................................................................................ 10

5.7 LIGHT EMISSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 10

5.8 CHEMICALS .................................................................................................................................... 10

5.9 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 11

REFERENCES................................................................................................................................... 12

FIGURES 13

APPENDIX A. NUTRIENT AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................ 14

APPENDIX B. LABORTAORY RESULTS ........................................................................................... 15


1709_Licence WWTS_V4 2018 Version 4 ii

Tables Table 1. Prescribed premises summary.

Table 2. Company details for The Beer Farm.

Figures Figure 1. Locality of the Subject Site

Figure 2. Plan of the Brewery

Figure 3. Schematic of wastewater system


1709_Licence WWTS_V4 2018 Version 4 1

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The Beer Farm Pty Ltd (The Beer Farm) is a beer and cider processing facility located at Lot 131 Gale Road, Metricup. In addition, it is proposed to undertake irrigation of treated wastewater on this lot (Lot 131) and the adjacent Lot 130 Gale Road. Both properties are owned by a Director (Julia Atkins) of the Beer Farm.

Lot 131 and Lot 130 are situated on 32 and 30 hectares (ha) (respectively) within the municipality of the City of Busselton (refer to Figure 1) and are bordered by rural properties to the north, east and west, and Gale Road to the south.

The facility has a maximum production capacity of 1,040 kL per year (based on tank capacity), with a current production capacity of 520 kL. Wastewater from the brewery is processed through a standard septic system before being used for irrigation. Brewing is dependent on demand however it is typically undertaken once a week (less in winter), for a duration of one day.

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 (EP Regulations), the projected production throughput exceeds the minimum threshold for Prescribed Premises Category No. 25, as defined within Table 1 below.

Table 1. Prescribed premises summary. Category Number Category Description

Category Production

Capacity

Premises Production

Capacity

Premises Fee Component

25

Alcoholic beverage manufacturing: premises on which an alcoholic beverage is manufactured and from which liquid waste is or is to be discharged onto land or into waters

350 kL/year 1,040

kL/year

50 – Not more than 2,000

tonnes per year

This denotes that pursuant to Section 56 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act), The Beer Farm require a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) licence to operate their wastewater treatment system.

The purpose of a licence is to allow the DWER to assess the environmental acceptability of a proposal against standards and policies. Licences also contain conditions to ensure the premises can operate in an environmentally acceptable manner.

1.2 Purpose of this Document As previously discussed, the operation of the wastewater treatment system is subject to a DWER licence. On this basis, the purpose of this licence application is to provide suitable justification that the proposed wastewater treatment system will appropriately treat wastewater which will subsequently be discharged to the environment. Specifically, this document contains:

• A description of the subject site’s environmental characteristics;• A description of the existing infrastructure and operations;• The regulatory framework applicable to the subject site; and• Details regarding the wastewater treatment system, including a water balance and the projected

nutrient loading rates.



1.3 Proponent Information The Beer Farm consists of a beer and cider processing facility, a public sales outlet and associated infrastructure, three dams and approximately 45 ha of paddocks. The beer processing facility has been in operation since 2015.

The Beer Farm’s company and contact details are outlined in Table 2.

Table 2 Company details for The Beer Farm.

Description Detail

ACN 606 046 306

Licensee The Beer Farm Pty Ltd

Registered Agent Address

Presidio Partners Pty Ltd

Level 2 Piccadilly court

222 Pitt Street

Sydney, NSW, 2000

Postal Address 177 Gale Road

Metricup WA 6280

Site Address Lot 131 Gale Road, Metricup

Site Contact Ian Atkins

Email: [email protected]



2 REGULATORY CONTEXT Guidance and regulation regarding wastewater treatment within breweries is provided by a number of government agencies including DWER.

Specific polices and legislation relating to the abovementioned government agencies is provided in the following sections.

2.1 Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Breweries with a design capacity of 350kL or more are considered ‘prescribed premises’ pursuant to Category 25 within Schedule 1 of the EP Regulations. Prescribed premises require a licence to operate under the EP Act, which is administered by the DWER. The DWER is responsible for ensuring that the prescribed premises are constructed and operated in an environmentally acceptable manner. This is achieved by imposing the provisions of the EP Act and issuing licence approvals subject to conditions.

The DWER provides regulations and guidance for activities that may affect the quality of the State’s water resources. In particular, the DWER has developed a set of Water Quality Protection Notes that are designed to provide guidance on land use activities and water resource protection issues. In relation to the subject site, the following guiding documents are applicable:

• Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient-rich wastewater; and • Water Quality Protection Note 73: Wineries and distilleries.

The DWER also administers the Rights in Water Irrigation Act 1914 (RiWI Act) which manages the utilisation of groundwater and surface water resources. The proponent does not hold a Groundwater Licence pursuant to the RiWI Act as groundwater is not extracted from an aquifer within the subject site.



3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 3.1 Topography Lot 131 is undulating with the elevation range from 65 m Australian Height Datum (AHD) in the north west to 85 m AHD in the south west. Lot 130 has an elevation of 75 m AHD in the north west corner to 82 m AHD in the south east corner.

3.2 Landforms and Soils Lots 131 and Lot 130 are located within the Donnybrook Sunkland Zone which is comprised of moderately dissected lateritic plateau on Perth Basin Sedimentary rocks. Soil are formed in lateritic colluvium, weathered in-situ sedimentary rocks and alluvium (poorly drained sandy alluvial plain in the south). It is part of the Whicher Scarp system which is a low scarp and raised platform situated on the northern edge of the Donnybrook Sunkland Zone consisting of sandy gravel and pale deep sands, loamy gravel and non-saline wet soils (DAFWA).

The Busselton Margaret River Augusta land capability survey described the subject site as being part of the Yelverton Flats phase consisting of raised flats, duplex sandy gravels, semi-wet soils, yellow deep sands and sandy earths and loamy gravels.

Additional details pertaining to soils is provided within the Nutrient and Irrigation Management Plan (NIMP).

3.3 Acid Sulfate Soils Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) is the common name given to naturally occurring soil and sediment containing iron sulfides. They have become a potential issue in land development projects on the Swan Coastal Plain. When the naturally anaerobic conditions in which these soils are situated are disturbed, they are exposed to aerobic conditions and subsequently oxidise. When oxidised, ASS can acidify groundwater, which can result in a range of impacts on the surrounding environment.

ASS that have been oxidised and resulted in the creation of acidic conditions are termed “Actual ASS” (AASS) and those that have acid generating potential but remain in their naturally anaerobic conditions are termed “Potential ASS” (PASS).

ASS mapping prepared by the DWER (2009) is available on the DWER’s Geographic Data Atlas and indicates that the subject site is classified as having a “moderate to low risk of ASS occurring within 3m of the natural soil surface”.

3.4 Hydrology

3.4.1 Surface Water

Lot 131 contains three dams located in south-west portion of the property. An ephemeral creek line runs through the centre of the property in a north-west direction. Lot 130 contains two small dams on the western boundary of the property. The Lots are not located in a Public Drinking Water Source Area or in proximity to any conservation significant watercourses.



3.4.2 Groundwater

The subject site is located within the proclaimed Busselton – Capel Groundwater Area. Anecdotal information suggests that groundwater is in excess of 4.0m below ground surface in winter.

3.5 Flora and Vegetation The vegetation of the subject site falls within the Southern Jarrah Forest sub-region of the Jarrah Forest bioregion (McKenzie et al. 2003). The Southern Jarrah Forest sub-region is composed of Jarrah – Marri forest in the west grading to Marri and Wandoo woodlands in the east (McKenzie et al. 2003).

The subject site only contains a small pocket of degraded remnant vegetation of the Yelverton complex as labelled by Beard Association which consists Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata subsp. marginata-Corymbia calophylla-Allocasuarina fraseriana-Agonis flexuosas and open woodland of Corymbia calophylla on low undulating uplands in the humid zone in the centre of the site.

A Threatened Ecological Community is mapped on the north-western boundary of Lot 131.



4 WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM 4.1 Background Beer is made from four basic ingredients namely barley, water, hops and yeast. Brewing generally involves extracting the sugars from grains (usually barley) so that the yeast can turn it into alcohol and carbon dioxide, creating beer.

The brewing process starts with grains (usually barley) that are harvested and processed through a process of heating, drying out and cracking. The grains then go through a process known as mashing, in which they are steeped in hot, but not boiling, water for about an hour. This activates enzymes in the grains that cause it to break down and release its sugars. Once completed, the remaining sticky, sweet liquid (wort) is boiled for about an hour while hops and other spices are added several times.

Once the hour long boil is over the wort is cooled, strained and filtered. It’s then put in a fermenting vessel and yeast is added to it. At this point the brewing is complete and the fermentation begins. The beer is stored for a period while fermentation takes place. Upon completion of fermentation the uncarbonated beer is canned onsite at which time it is either carbonated.

A very small volume of cider is also produced at the brewery (4,000 L per month). The cider is made from purchased apple juice which has undergone two different kinds of fermentation. The first fermentation is carried out by yeasts which have either been added deliberately or which are naturally present on the apple skins. This fermentation converts sugars to ethanol and the higher alcohols (fusel alcohols). The second fermentation, the malo-lactic fermentation converts L(-)-malic acid to L(+)-lactic acid and carbon dioxide. This fermentation is carried out by lactic acid bacteria which are present in the apple juice and also in the area in which the fermentation is carried out.

The Beer Farm have developed their wastewater treatment system in order to accommodate a maximum production throughput of 1,040 kL of product per annum. The system has been upgraded to improve the treatment of wastewater onsite by increasing the volume of storage and dispersing the final treated wastewater to an irrigation lot replacing the previous leach drain system. The treatment of the wastewater is intended to produce treated effluent quality that will comply with the Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient rich wastewater (DoW 2008).

4.2 Design The production of beer and cider is based on demand which typically peaks in summer and dips in winter. On this basis, production can be up to 50% less in winter, however there is no specific data trend to support this.

Brewery wastewater is high in cellulose, sugars and organic matter, it contains moderate nutrient loadings and depending on the cleaning products used has an overall neutral pH. The wastewater generated from the cidery production will have similar wastewater characteristics to that of wastewater generated from the production of beer (especially as no crushing of fruit occurs onsite). Furthermore, only 4,000 L per month of cider will be produced and therefore wastewater production associated with this product will be negligible. The same cleaning processes are undertaken for beer and cider manufacturing.



On average, the total volume of product (cider/beer) produced per week is 10,000 L. For every litre of product produced, 3.44 L of wastewater is produced (resulting in approximately 34.4 kL per week of wastewater). On this basis, approximately 1,788 kL of wastewater is produced per annum.

Wastewater Collection

All brewery processing is contained within a roofed, concrete hardstand area. A water meter is connected on the pipeline between the water tank and the brewery in order to determine water usage within the brewery (water for the tavern, ablutions etc. is obtained via a separate pipeline from the water tanks). Given that the exact volume of water used for manufacturing is known, the volume of wastewater can be accurately calculated.

Side streaming is implemented at the brewery which involves the collection of high strength, concentrated wastes at the source and setting it aside for disposal. Primary sources of this high strength wastewater are trub and spent yeast. This is manually collected prior to washdown procedures commencing and applied to the composting area. Side streaming significantly reduces BOD and TSS and therefore the loading on the septic system is reduced (as evidenced by the BOD and TSS results which are consistently low).

Cleaning operations in the brewery are undertaken on a staged basis. There are a total of nine tanks which are each cleaned once a week on a cyclic basis. The cleaning cycle consists of:

• Pre Rinse: Water is used to wash away a majority of the soils. • Caustic Wash: Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is used to break down all organic soils and is

captured to be used again. • Rinse: Water is used to rinse the tank and is often recovered. • Acid Wash: Phosphoric acid is used to remove any beerstone buildup and is captured to be used

again. • Rinse: Water is used to rinse the tank and is then drained • Sanitisation: PAA (peracetic acid) is used to sanitize and disinfect the tank.

Wastewater is recycled using a Clean In Place (CIP) set whereby the cleaning and sanitation chemicals and recaptured and reused on subsequent vessels. This has resulted in a 50% reduction of chemical loading and 56% reduction in water usage. The CIP set is comprised of four holding tanks (each with an approximate capacity of 300 L) to store their chemical solutions. The chemicals are pumped out of the storage tanks and into the tanks that are being cleaning. Typically, a spray ball is used within the tank to coat all the interior surfaces with the chemicals. The chemicals that are used to clean the tank are pumped back out and into the CIP storage tank to be used several more times before being replaced. This unit is expected to significantly reduce phosphorus loading rates within the wastewater and this will be determined once further monitoring has been undertaken (no monitoring results of the wastewater are available yet following the installation of the CIP set).

Wastewater produced from washout procedures within the concrete hardstand area and the brewery enter the grated drains at several locations prior to being gravity fed to a 2kL collection sump. The concrete hardstand area has been designed to divert stormwater that is not contained within this area.

The grated drains contain basket screens that capture course solids and debris up to 2mm in size. The basket screens require periodic monitoring and emptying, which is undertaken as required or at least weekly.

From the 2kL collection sump, the wastewater overflows to the septic system via gravity. This process enables solids to settle out prior to the wastewater undergoing treatment.



Treatment

Further settling of the effluent is undertaken within the septic system, followed by bacterial conversion of the waste into treated effluent and a solid sludge. Settling plays an important role prior to biological treatment processes to remove heavier sludge solids by means of settling and separation from the liquid phase. When it is used ahead of biological treatment, the key advantage is that it will assist in significantly reducing BOD levels and thus, reducing the load feed into the system. The solids accumulate at the base of the septic system are removed as required by a licensed liquid waste contractor.

Storage

Treated effluent will be transferred initially to a 7 kL storage tank, then via overflow to a 50 kL storage tank. It is from this storage tank that the effluent will be pumped to the irrigation areas.

Irrigation

Treated wastewater will be irrigated to a 26.5ha area comprised of paddocks and tree plantations as follow described in the NIMP. Furthermore, a water balance and nutrient loading assessment is provided in the NIMP.



5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT This section provides information that primarily relates to the potential environmental impacts from the operation of the wastewater treatment system. For those environmental issues that have the potential to have significant impacts, management measures and strategies are provided to ensure that potential impacts are minimised as far as practicable.

5.1 Discharges to Land Treated wastewater will be irrigated to a 26.5 ha paddock area. Irrigation will occur as specified in the NIMP (refer to Appendix A). The projected nutrient loading rates and water balance calculations indicate that irrigation of the treated wastewater can be sustained without any environmental impacts.

Management Measures

Irrigate treated wastewater in accordance with the NIMP.

5.2 Discharges to Water There are no planned discharges to surface or groundwater during the operation of the facility. Nutrient leaching into the groundwater or runoff from the irrigation areas into surface waters is considered very unlikely based on the following:

• There are no groundwater receptors within the vicinity of the irrigation area; • There are no watercourses that will be directly affected by the operation. The closest

watercourse is 40m east of the irrigation area; • Irrigation will not occur during periods of rainfall or onto flooded areas; and • Irrigation rates have been developed to ensure runoff from the irrigation areas does not occur.

Management Measures

The risk associated with seepage into groundwater and runoff into surface waters is considered very low and therefore management measures associated with discharges to water are not required.

5.3 Solid and Liquid Waste Wastewater generated from the brewery operations will be treated through a conventional septic wastewater treatment system, as defined within this document. Solid waste generated as a result of the treatment process will include thickened sludge. Sludge will be periodically extracted from the system and removed by a licensed contractor.

Spent grain is fed to the onsite cattle. This is within a 24 hour period to allow temperature of the grain to drop after the boiling process.

Management Measures

Management of liquid and solid waste will be undertaken in accordance with the conditions of the EP Act Licence and the requirements of applicable regulations. The risk associated with solid and liquid waste is considered very low.

5.4 Noise Emissions The use of a pump to transfer the treated wastewater to the irrigation area is the only source of potential noise emissions during the operation of the wastewater treatment system. All noise generating activities



(i.e. irrigation of wastewater, trucks etc.) will occur during the day and will be indistinctive from noise generated from typical rural activities.

Management Strategy

Noise represents a low risk for this proposal due to the distance from the nearest sensitive receptor and the minimal level of noise expected to be generated during the construction and operation of the upgraded wastewater treatment system.

In addition, The Beer Farm has not received any noise complaints during the operation of the facility. As a result, no additional noise management strategies have been developed for the subject site.

5.5 Odour Emissions During operation of the wastewater treatment system, potential sources of odour are as follows:

• Wastewater treatment system (high organic loads and BOD levels can result in odour emissions); and

• Irrigation of wastewater.

Odour emissions are expected to be insignificant given that the nearest sensitive receptors, private residences, are 200m and 350m to the north and west respectively. The nearest township, Cowaramup township, is approximately 10 km south west of the wastewater treatment system. Furthermore, a site inspection undertaken by Accendo Australia on the 3rd March 2017 confirmed that odour emissions are currently negligible.

Management Measures

Odour emissions present a low risk for the premises due to the distance from the nearest sensitive receptor, the minimal odour emissions expected to be generated and the fact that no complaints have been received. Furthermore, The Beer Farm will ensure compliance with the general provisions of the EP Act and the licence conditions. Given the minimal risk that odour emissions present, no additional odour management measures have been developed for this submission.

5.6 Dust Emissions No dust emissions will be generated during the operation of the wastewater treatment system.

5.7 Light Emissions No light emissions will be generated during the operation of the wastewater treatment system.

5.8 Chemicals Chemicals stored onsite are limited to chemicals used in brewery cleaning (i.e. caustic soda, sodium hydroxide). Chemicals are stored in locked cabinets in the production shed and brewhouse. The brewery has Occupational Health and Safety procedures which include procedures for spill clean-up, including:

• ensure proper protective equipment is available; • control the source; • contain free liquids by damming, absorbing if appropriate; • place all spill residues in an appropriate manner; • decontaminate the affected area using an appropriate material; • decontaminate the salvage equipment;



• analyse the area to ensure proper decontamination has taken place; • examine walkways, floors, stairs equipment etc. for other hazards or damage.

5.9 Reporting Requirements In order to determine the nutrient loading rates within the irrigation areas monitoring of the treated wastewater will be required. Monitoring will be undertaken in accordance with a schedule provided within the EP Act licence. As a conditional requirement, annual reporting of the monitoring results to the DER will also be required.



REFERENCES Beard J. S. (1981). Plant life of Western Australia. Perth: Kangaroo Press.

Brito, A. G, Peixoto, J., Oliveira, J. M., Oliveira, J. A., Costa, C., Nogueira, R and Rodrigues, A. (2005). Brewery and Winery Wastewater Treatment: Some Focal Points of Design and Operation. Unpublished.

Bureau of Meteorology (2014). Climate Averages, Publicly available data prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology, Commonwealth of Australia. Accessed July 2014.

Dairying and Environment Committee, (2006), Managing Farm Dairy Effluent, Dairying and Environment Committee, New Zealand.

Department of Agriculture and Food. (2014). Irrigation Calculator, Available at: http://www.irrigationcalculator.com/

Department of Agriculture and Food. (2017). NRInfo (natural resource information), Available at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/resource-assessment/nrinfo-western-australia

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) (2004). Geomorphic Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain dataset.

Department of Planning and Industry (DPI) (NSW) (2008). Environmental Management Guidelines for the Dairy Industry. Government of Australia.

Department of Water (DoW) (2008). Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient-rich wastewater.

Department of Water (DoW) (2006). Water Quality Protection Note 73: Wineries and distilleries.

Ghangrekar,M. M and Kharagpur, I. I. T. (2013). Wastewater Treatment Series. Module 16, Lecture Number- 21

McKenzie, N.L., May, J.E. and McKenna, S, (2003) Bioregional Summary of the 2002 Bioregional Audit for Western Australia, CALM. Western Australia.

Myers, J.S. (1990). Pinjarra Orogen. In Geology and Mineral Resources of Western Australia, Western Australia Geological Survey, Memoir 3, 265-274.

Suchowska-Kisielewicz, M., Jedrczak, J., Sadecka, Z. and Myszograj, S. (2013). Effect of aerobic pretreatment of waste on the rate of anaerobic treatment processes. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 15:138–145.

SLIP. (2009). Landgate SLIP portal. Accessed from https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au, July 2014.

Tille, P.J. and Lantzke, N.C. (1990), Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta: land capability study. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) (2007). Planning Bulletin No. 64: Acid Sulfate Soils, Western Australian Planning Commission, Western Australia.

http://www.irrigationcalculator.com/

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/resource-assessment/nrinfo-western-australia


1709_Licence WWTS_V4 2017 Version 3

FIGURES

Site location

NORTH

Lot 131 Gale Road, Metricup (The Beer Farm)PROJECT

DRAWING TITLE

CLIENT

This drawing has been prepared by, and remains the property of Assendo Ausralia Pty Ltd. This drawing shall not be used without permission.

The drawing shall be preliminary only and/or not for construction until signed approved.

FIGURE 1 - Location of the Subject Site

The Beer Farm

Scale

- FIG 1 A A3Project Number Drawing Number Revision

Original

Designed KMT

Drawn DTF

Checked

Approved

Date 22-03-17

Sheet 1 of 1

Local Authority City of Busselton

PO Box 5178

West Busselton

Western Australia 6280

Telephone (08) 9755 7217

Mobile 0418 950 852

Diagramatic

15m

20m

Bright Tanks

10,000L

6,000L

Brew Kit

Water tanks

Fermenters

20m

15m 2,000L 2,000L

500L

2,500L

2,500L

6,000L 10,000L

10,000L

6,000L

10,000L

Compost Area

Collection Sump

15,000L 15,000L

Drain

Drain

Office

Malt Mill

Canning line

kmuir

Text Box

Figure 2. Plan of Brewery

Kirsten

Text Box

2kL

Kirsten

Text Box

3657 L

Kirsten

Text Box

1933 L

Kirsten

Text Box

3657 L

Kirsten

Text Box

1933 L

Kirsten

Line

Kirsten

Line

kmuir

Text Box

kmuir

Text Box

50

kmuir

Text Box

kmuir

Text Box

kmuir

Text Box

kmuir

Text Box



APPENDIX A. Nutrient and Irrigation Management Plan

NUTRIENT AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Beer Farm Pty Ltd

March 2018

INTRODUCTION Purpose

The Beer Farm Pty Ltd (The Beer Farm) is a beer and cider processing facility located at Lot 131 Gale Road, Metricup. In addition, it is proposed to undertake irrigation of treated wastewater on the adjacent Lot 130 Gale Road. Both properties are owned by the Director (Ian Atkins) of the Beer Farm.

With a current production capacity of 520 kL per year and a maximum production capacity of 1,040 kL per year, the brewery is a prescribed premises pursuant to the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. Accordingly, this Nutrient and Irrigation Management Plan (NIMP) has been developed to ensure that disposal of treated wastewater from the operation of the brewery is undertaken and managed in a manner that reduces the environmental impacts to as low as reasonably practicable. Specifically, the purpose of this NIMP is to ensure that the irrigation of nutrient-rich wastewater does not result in contaminant leaching into the surrounding environment.

This NIMP has been prepared with reference to the following documentation:

• Water Quality Protection Note – Nutrient Irrigation Management Plans (DoW 2010); • Water Quality Protection Note – Irrigation with Nutrient Rich Wastewater (DoW 2008); • Water Quality Information Sheet – Nutrient and Irrigation Management Plan Checklist (DoW

2010); • Water Quality Protection Note - Wineries and Distilleries (DoW 2006); and • Efficiency of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, Farmnote 48/1992 (Reviewed 2000).

Scope

The scope of the NIMP includes treatment and disposal of water from the following sources:

• Wash down water within the process areas; and • Water collected from process equipment.

The NIMP does not include the management of uncontaminated stormwater or water (from any source) that is free of contamination and does not pose a risk to the environment.

NUTRIENT AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT For an effluent irrigation system to be ecologically sustainable a number of factors must be considered to ensure that the surrounding environment is not impacted by the organic, nutrient or chemical loadings applied. Factors relevant to the subject site are discussed below.

Soils

In order to determine a suitable location for the proposed irrigation area, an analysis of onsite soil characteristics was undertaken based on the Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta Land Capability Study (Tille and Lantzke 1990), Margaret River Regional Soils Profile (AHA Viticulture 2007) and regional soil landscape mapping prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Food. The proposed irrigation areas are located within the ‘Yelverton Flats and Slopes’ land unit described as ‘flats and low slopes with mottled pale grey gradational (Mungite) and gravelly duplex (Forest Grove) soils’ (Tille and Lantzke 1990 and Department of Agriculture and Food). The Mungite and Forest Grove components are described as follows (AHA Viticulture 2007):

• Forrest Grove – this soil type is expected to occupy approximately 40% of the proposed irrigation area. It is described as ‘loamy gravel/duplex sandy gravel. Approximately 50 cm of a gravelly, yellow brown sand or sandy loam topsoil overlying a yellow brown sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsoil’. Depending on clay content it drains moderately well to imperfectly and has a high water holding and phosphorus retention capacity. Phosphorous requirement in crop establishment is high due to the high P fixing of these soils and a phosphorus maintenance program is required to maintain available phosphorous.

• Mungite – this is expected to be the predominant soil type within the proposed irrigation area. It is comprised of pale sandy earth - approximately 50 cm of yellow brown sand or sandy loam topsoil, with brownish surface, overlying a mottled light grey or white sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsoil. Soils are expected to be moderately well drained with a moderate nutrient holding capacity.

The proposed irrigation area has been specifically located outside of the ‘Yelverton wet valleys phase’ which is associated with the watercourse that intersects Lot 131.

The properties and type of soils can determine the suitability of a site for irrigation of treated wastewater. In accordance with the requirements of the Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient rich wastewater (DoW 2008), the subject site is physically suitable for irrigation of treated effluent due to the following:

• Suitably zoned; • Located in a rural farming / agricultural context; • Comprised of arable land which is vegetated; and • Capable of providing appropriate 40m buffer to the nearest sensitive water resource.

Based on correspondence received from the DWER (Decision Report 2018), in accordance with the Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient rich wastewater (DoW 2008), the eutrophication risk based on the soil characteristics within the irrigation area can be described as ‘Significant’ (Category A pursuant to Table 1).

Table 1. Eutrophication risk based on soil type and location.

Characteristics of the irrigated soils Eutrophication risk of surface water within 500m of irrigation site

Risk category

Course grained soils (e.g. sands and gravels)

Significant A

Low B

Fine grained soils, PBI >100 (e.g. loam, clays or peat)

Significant C

Low D

Appropriate management measures will be implemented which will assist in reducing the risk associated with eutrophication and nutrient leaching. This will include the following:

• Rotation of irrigation areas; • Even application or irrigated wastewater; and • Ensuring that irrigated areas are dry for 24 hours between applications.

Water Balance

For an effective wastewater irrigation system, wastewater application needs to correlate with the requirements of the vegetation, while ensuring that increases in runoff and percolation are minimised.

Approximately 99 percent of the water absorbed by plants is lost by transpiration and evaporation from the plant surface. On this basis, the water requirement of crops is equal to the evapotranspiration requirement (DPI NSW 2008). Crop evapotranspiration can be determined by using the ‘Irrigation Calculator’ (Department of Agriculture and Food 2014), which indicates that approximately 21.5 ha of pasture in the Cowaramup region can absorb up to 109,000 kL of water annually. Furthermore, a 5 ha Almond orchard (the closest comparison to tree plantation) requires 17,000 kL of water per annum. Based on the estimated effluent production, the maximum volume of treated wastewater irrigated will be approximately 1,788 kL, denoting that the plant water requirements within the irrigation areas will not be exceeded.

Based on an assessment on the average number of days that receive rainfall (in excess of 10mm) in the locality, the estimated storage requirements have been calculated to ensure that irrigation does not occur on days experiencing in excess of 10mm of rainfall (refer to Table 2).

In order to determine the run-off and groundwater infiltration risk, an analysis of the volumetric calculations of wastewater that the irrigation area will receive was undertaken. Based on the equation:

1mm = 1L/m2

Then, for the irrigation area to receive 1mm, 265,000L of wastewater would need to be applied per day. Currently, it is proposed to irrigate 4,914L of treated wastewater per day (excluding days receiving in excess of 10mm of rainfall), which equates to 0.01mm. Precipitation at this magnitude would not even produce a dew-like effect on the ground surface.

It is therefore proposed to irrigate treated wastewater at the equivalent of 1mm per day (during irrigation days) which equates to the irrigation of approximately 0.5 ha per day. Provided the treated wastewater is applied to the irrigation area evenly, there is no possibility that run-off or groundwater infiltration can occur as only a maximum of 1mm of treated wastewater is being applied to the ground surface. On this basis, irrigation during winter can be undertaken without any detrimental impacts to surface or groundwater, provided irrigation does not occur on days experiencing rainfall and irrigation is applied evenly.

Furthermore, it is noted that DWER licensed wineries within the locality (i.e. similar precipitation) have been approved to irrigate substantially larger quantities of wastewater throughout winter. Accordingly, irrigating in the magnitude of 1mm per day should be acceptable in winter (excluding days receiving in excess of 10mm of rainfall), especially as a 40m buffer will be provided to all watercourses.

Table 2. Water balance for the irrigated wastewater.

Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Estimated Wastewater Volume (kL)

149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149 149

Mean No. of Days Receiving Rainfall12

0.4 0.1 0.9 1.6 4.6 6.5 7.3 5.2 4.2 1.9 1 0.4

Volume of Wastewater Requiring Storage During Rain Days (kL)

1.92 0.53 4.33 7.95 22.11 32.28 35.09 24.99 20.86 9.13 4.97 1.92

Additional Storage Available with 50kL Storage Tank

48.08 49.47 45.67 42.05 27.89 17.72 14.91 25.01 29.14 40.87 45.03 48.08

1 – In excess of 10mm 2 – Data obtain from Bureau of Meteorology for Witchcliffe Station (Site number: 009746) from 1999-2018.

The wastewater treatment system has been designed to provide in excess of the winter storage requirements (approximately one to two days of additional storage). This approach has been utilised as a contingency measure should a temporary system failure occur in winter.

Nutrient Loading Rates

Brewery wastewater is typically not associated with high nutrient loading rates however it can have a high degree of organic matter due to the composition of the inputs. However, given that the Beer Farm implement side streaming, limited organic matter enters the wastewater. Furthermore, following the installation of the new CIP set, the use of chemicals is expected to be reduced by 50% which will substantially reduce the phosphorus loading in the wastewater.

The success of wastewater irrigation systems is dependent on the appropriate application of effluent to ensure that both nutrient and hydraulic loading rates are not excessive. This will require the following:

• Sufficient area to manage the nutrient and hydraulic loading;

• Equipment that will apply effluent at low application rates;

• Provision of rest periods between applications so that bacteria in the soil can breakdown effluent organic matter to prevent a decline in the soil infiltration; and

• Adequate provision of irrigation area which:

o reduces nitrate leaching;

o prevents ponding and surface runoff of effluent; o avoids physical deterioration of soil; and o allows efficient use of the nutrients for pasture growth.

Nutrient inputs should be compared with nutrient losses in order to establish an appropriate nutrient loading rate. A simple approach to the nitrogen balance is to compare the total nitrogen and phosphorus usage of each irrigation area with the amount of total nitrogen and phosphorus available. In accordance with the Productive Pastures Guidelines (Incitec Pivot 2005), typically pasture crops will require up to 250 kg/ha/year of nitrogen and 25 kg/ha/year of phosphorus.

The nutrient application criteria associated with Risk Category A are provided below within Table 3. DoW guidelines (2008) also specify a BOD loading rate of 30 kg/ha/day.

Table 3. Nutrient application criteria to control eutrophication risk.

Risk Category

Maximum Reactive Nitrogen Addition Maximum Reactive Phosphorus Addition

Loading Rate Loading Rate

A 140 kg/ha/year 10 kg/ha/year

Wastewater quality monitoring has been refined as sampling was previously undertaken pre-treatment. Based on recent wastewater quality results obtained post treatment, the predicted nutrient and BOD concentrations and associated loading rates are provided within Table 4. Refer to Appendix A for calculations. Given that samples were collected from the 7kL tank post treatment, these results are expected to decrease if sampling is undertaken from a 50kL tank (wastewater following brewing operations will be diluted).

Table 4. Projected nutrient loading rates based on wastewater quality monitoring results.

Nitrogen Loading Rate

Phosphorus Loading Rate

BOD Loading Rate

2 kg/ha/yr 4 kg/ha/yr 8 kg/ha/yr

Livestock (cows) grazing will occur within Irrigation Area B for approximately half the year which will result in additional nutrient inputs. For the typical 450kg beast, 0.05kg of phosphorus per day and 0.15kg of nitrogen per day will be produced (Manure Production Data, Queensland Dept of Agriculture). Over a 16ha area, this will result in the addition of 0.5kg/year of phosphorus and 1.5kg/year of nitrogen. Based on the projected nutrient loading rates provided in Table 4, this will not exceed the nutrient loading criteria provided in Table 3. The applicant is also proposing two cuts of hay per year from Irrigation Area B. Approximately 150 bales of hay will be obtained from each cut, with each bale weighing 350kg (a total weight of 52,500 kg per cut). Hay has a dry matter of approximately 85% which will produce 44,625kgDM. On average, 2 kg of phosphorus is removed for every tonne of DM harvested, which equates to 89kg of phosphorus removed per cut. On this basis, all of the applied phosphorus from the wastewater and cow manure will be removed from Irrigation Area B.

Irrigation Management Irrigation will occur in three nominated areas as provided below (refer to Figure 1):

• A – 5.5 ha paddock with perennial grasses; • B – 16 ha paddock with annual grasses; and

• C – 5 ha of plantation trees (Pinus radiata and exotic Eucalyptus spp.). The proponent is proposing to coppice these trees in due course.

Irrigation within Areas A and B will occur using a K-Line effluent system. This is a low pressure, transportable pod sprinkler system that provides efficient dispersion of effluent. It is designed to distribute wastewater with a slow, efficient absorption method similar to rain (approximately 1mm). The low application rate helps to remove the risk of ponding and run-off allowing better soil absorption. On this basis, the transportable pods will be moved on a weekly basis. They will be capable of irrigating approximately 30m in diameter.

Area C will be irrigated by inline drip irrigation which will disperse of wastewater slowly, avoiding run-off and pooling. Water nutrient loss will be minimised due to localised application and reduced leaching. The drippers will have an approximate flow rate of 2L/hour with a 50cm spacing (to achieve an application rate of 12mm/hour).

The following measures will be implemented to manage the irrigation areas:

• Irrigated wastewater will be confined to the irrigation area and will not escape to any watercourse (it is only proposed to irrigate the equivalent of 1mm of wastewater);

• Treated wastewater will not be applied to land if soil moisture conditions are such that surface run-off or ponding is likely to occur;

• Wastewater will be evenly distributed over the irrigation area and checked on a daily basis;

• The irrigation of treated wastewater to the land will not be performed within 40m of any defined watercourse;

• The irrigation of treated wastewater to the land will not be performed within 20m of the property boundary

• The irrigation of treated wastewater to the land will not be performed within 30m of the TEC;

• Wastewater will not be discharged to the irrigation area during rainfall or onto flooded areas; and

• The irrigation area will be maintained in a proper and efficient condition (i.e. maintain healthy vegetation cover) so as to provide adequate assimilation, percolation, evaporation and transpiration of the irrigated wastewater.

Monitoring

The results of monitoring will assist in demonstrating due diligence in the protection of public health and agricultural resources, while reducing environmental risks. Monitoring will be undertaken in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) licence.

Where it is identified that an incident has occurred that has caused or is likely to cause a discharge of wastewater not authorized by the licence, the following will be undertaken:

• Advise the DWER in writing within 24 hours of becoming aware of the incident; and • Submit to the DWER in writing within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of the incident a

report specifying the details of the incident.

Reporting

In accordance with the requirements of the DWER licence, an Annual Environmental Report will be required each year. The report will contain the following details:

• Monitoring data collected as a requirement of the licence conditions; • An assessment of the data collected in comparison with past monitoring data collected from the

previous years; • Any issues raised from inspections or incident responses during the reporting period; and • Any changes to site boundaries, surface drainage channels and onsite or offsite impact or

pollution.

In addition to the above, completion of an Annual Audit Compliance Report will be required for each year.

REFERENCES Bureau of Meteorology (2017). Climate Averages, Publicly available data prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology, Commonwealth of Australia.

Calder, T. (2005). Farmnote No. 48/92: Efficiency of sprinkler irrigation systems. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Dairying and Environment Committee, (2006), Managing Farm Dairy Effluent, Dairying and Environment Committee, New Zealand.

Department of Agriculture and Food. (2017). Irrigation Calculator, Available at: http://www.irrigationcalculator.com/

Department of Agriculture and Food. (2017). NRInfo (natural resource information), Available at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/resource-assessment/nrinfo-western-australia

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) (2004). Geomorphic Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain dataset.

Department of Planning and Industry (DPI) (NSW) (2008). Environmental Management Guidelines for the Dairy Industry. Government of Australia.

Department of Water (DoW), (2010). Water Quality Information Sheet 04: Nutrient and irrigation management plan checklist. Department of Water, Western Australia

Department of Water (DoW) (2008). Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient-rich wastewater. Department of Water, Western Australia.

Department of Water (DoW), (2010), Water Quality Protection Note 33: Nutrient and irrigation management plans. Department of Water, Western Australia.

Department of Water (DoW) (2006). Water Quality Protection Note 73: Wineries and distilleries. Department of Water, Western Australia.

Incitec Pivot, (2005). Productive Pastures Guidelines. Incitec Pivot, Australia.

SLIP. (2009). Landgate SLIP portal. Accessed from https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au, July 2014.

Tille, P.J. and Lantzke, N.C. (1990), Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta: land capability study. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

http://www.irrigationcalculator.com/

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/resource-assessment/nrinfo-western-australia

FIGURES

PROJECT

DRAWING TITLE

CLIENT

This drawing has been prepared by, and remains the property of Assendo Ausralia Pty Ltd. This drawing shall not be used without permission.

The drawing shall be preliminary only and/or not for construction until signed approved.

Lot 131 Gale Road, Metricup (The Beer Farm)

Figure 1- Revised Irrigation Areas

The Beer Farm

1709 FIG 4 AProject Number Drawing Number Revision

Designed KMT

Drawn PNChecked

Approved

Date 29-03-2018Sheet 1 of 1

Local Authority City of Busselton

PO Box 5178

West Busselton

Western Australia 6280

Telephone (08) 9755 7217

Mobile 0418 950 852

Legend

Irrigation Area A

Irrigation Area B

Irrigation Area C

Irrigation Tank and Pipeline

APPENDIX A

Monitoring Data Date TN TP BOD Process

21/09/2017 27 29 234 All other times 11/08/2017 21 120 240 During brewing 22/03/2017 42 28 4 All other times

Average 30 59 159

Loading Calculations (kg/ha/year)

Nitrogen Loading Rate ((30 x 1788000) / 1000 000) /26.5 2 Phosphorus Loading

Rate ((59 x 1788000) / 1000 000) /26.5

4

BOD Loading Rate ((159 x 1788000) / 1000 000) /26.5 8



APPENDIX B. Labortaory Results

VIC (Site A - Base site) WA (Site B) QLD (Site C)

ABN: 60 068 057 045

www.vintessential.com.au

32 Brasser AveDromana VIC, 3936T: 03 5987 2242E: [email protected]

15a Wrigglesworth Drive Cowaramup WA, 6284T: 08 9755 3622E: [email protected]

22 Caves Road Stanthorpe QLD, 4380

T: 07 4681 1522E: [email protected]

NSW (Site D - Branch site)

Leeds Parade (CSU) Orange NSW, 2800


TAS (Site E)

4 Warwick Street Hobart TAS, 7002


NUMBER: B1703063LABORATORY REPORT

Issue Preferences x2 [email protected]; [email protected]

Phone

Report Type Final

Sample(s) Received 22/03/2017

Purchase Order

0407 884 019

Metricup WA 6280

177 Gale Road


Waste WaterB1703063/01

Sample Number

Test Result Unit

Sample Details

mS/m199.4Electrical Conductivity (H01*)

5.4pH (H02*)

mg/L540Total Suspended Solids (H03*)

mg/L2200Total Dissolved Solids (H04*)

mg/L42Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (H05*)

mg/L28Total Phosphorous (H06*)

mg/L4Biochemical Oxygen Demand (H07*)

mg/L<0.1Nitrate & Nitrite (H08#)

mg/L42Total Nitrogen #

Page 1 of 1

Accredited for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025Accreditation No. 11587

Site No. 11580 (VIC) 14527 (WA)

*Indicates determination by NATA accredited method.

The above results relate only to the samples as received.

Date Report Issued

27/03/2017Approved Signatory

Vintessential Laboratories

Carly Gamble

# NATA accreditation does not cover the performance of this method.


ABN: 60 068 057 045









TAS (Site E)





Phone

Report Type Final


Purchase Order

0407 884 019

Metricup WA 6280

177 Gale Road


EffluentB1708043/01

Sample Number

Test Result Unit

Sample Details

mS/m197Electrical Conductivity (H01*)

4.4pH (H02*)






mg/L<0.1Nitrate & Nitrite (H08#)

mg/L21Total Nitrogen #

Page 1 of 1


Site No. 11580 (VIC) 14527 (WA)



Date Report Issued



Carly Gamble



ABN: 60 068 057 045









TAS (Site E)





Phone

Report Type Final


Purchase Order

0407 884 019

Metricup WA 6280

177 Gale Road


Waste WaterB1709061/01

Sample Number

Test Result Unit

Sample Details

mS/m167.1Electrical Conductivity (H01*)

4.7pH (H02*)






mg/L1.5Nitrate & Nitrite (H08*)

mg/L27Total Nitrogen *

Page 1 of 1


Site No. 11580 (VIC) 14527 (WA)



Date Report Issued



Carolyn Rubcich


the beer farm pty ltd · 2018. 6. 1. · the beer farm pty ltd(the beer farm a beer) is and cider...

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