Since 1 January 2018, Dutch greenhouse horticulture companies have been legally obliged to purify their residual water flows with certified water treatment systems. These systems must remove at least 95% of plant protection agents from wastewater. Paul Moerman of the Dalipa pepper nursery in Bleiswijk sees the importance of this general water purification requirement. “It’s a good thing for the image of the sector, although Dutch vegetable growers are already very environmentally conscious. I think that, certainly in comparison with other European countries, we grow peppers in the most sustainable way possible.”
Use of plant protection agents
Irrespective of the water purification requirements, the Dalipa pepper nursery has for a long time been striving to use as little water as possible and to recirculate as much water as possible. “In principle, that is quite easy to do when growing peppers, although the rising sodium content can sometimes be a challenge,” says Moerman. “That’s why I think that completely emission-free growing is virtually impossible; ultimately, you do have to discharge some water now and again.” The use of plant protection agents was, however, the pepper grower’s main reason for investing in a water treatment system. “Certain agents may only be purchased and used if your greenhouse has a water treatment system. That in itself is also a good development, because the fewer plant protection agents are found in the surface water, the more agents we will still be permitted to use.”
Integration
Dalipa was one of the first nurseries to start using the Ridder CleanLite more than a year ago. “We simply felt it was important to comply in good time with all the legislation and regulations surrounding water purification. We came across the CleanLite through our regular installer BE De Lier; the unit was easy to install, and also did not require a huge investment. The CleanLite could easily be integrated into our existing system.”
Sustainable developments
The pepper nursery now uses a Ridder CleanLite system at two separate locations. “It’s good to see that the sector has paid a lot of attention to this subject. Our ambition is nonetheless to remain at the forefront and to stay up-to-date. That’s why in our company we devote a lot of attention to sustainable developments, just as we do with ‘Next Generation Greenhouse Cultivation’. I have a brother who grows peppers in Canada, and who still regularly comes over to visit us to see our innovations in the Netherlands. The new water purification requirements contribute to our sector’s green and innovative image.”
Planting new crops with a clear conscience
The time to plant new crops is once again approaching for many Dutch horticultural companies. It is generally a period in which a large amount of water is consumed and the whole farm is again hygienically prepared for a new growing season. A lot of contaminated water flows are usually released during these cleaning activities. This can cause problems for growers who do not yet have a water treatment system in their greenhouse. To assist this group of growers in preventing environmentally harmful discharges, this autumn Ridder is offering an attractive promotion for the BZG-certified CleanLite water treatment unit.
Additional checks
Since 1 January 2018, Dutch greenhouse horticulture companies have been legally obliged to purify their residual water flows with certified water treatment systems. These systems must remove at least 95% of plant protection agents from wastewater. According to René van der Stam at Ridder, many growers have invested in such a system over the past year. “As always, however, there are still some growers who are adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ policy and who do not yet have their water treatment strategy in order. It is expected that, with the start of the new growing season, the water authorities will be carrying out additional checks for the presence of water treatment systems, the non-compliance with standards and water discharges. Growers without a water purification solution are running a significant risk of fines or prosecution.”
Affordable solution
The CleanLite unit, which last year was rated the best by the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) calculation tool, has been specially developed to help growers comply with legal water purification requirements in an affordable and environmentally-friendly manner. The CleanLite purifies the water of any residues of plant protection agents by using a combination of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the injection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The result is that polluting substances are fully broken down in a completely biological manner and residual water flows can be safely discharged to the surface water or into the sewerage system. Van der Stam: “Over the past 12 months we’ve sold a particularly large number of CleanLite systems. The system is in high demand among growers who are looking for an affordable solution that is easy to implement. We’ve noticed that the unit is also very popular among growers who have not previously used any other Ridder water systems.”
Special autumn promotion
Ridder is keen to help growers get their water management in order quickly. For this reason, a special promotion has been set up for the BZG-certified CleanLite water treatment unit, in collaboration with dealers and installers. “We are delighted to help growers without a water treatment system to get their residual water flows in order. That’s why we’re offering an attractive discount on all treatment units that are ordered from week 40 onwards and delivered on site before 1 January 2019,” explains Van der Stam. “The popularity of the CleanLite means that we’re able to supply the units directly from stock.”
For more information on the special autumn promotion for the CleanLite, please contact us or your Ridder dealer.
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