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Title: A SURVEY OF WATER USE AND COMMON INDUSTRY PRACTICES IN COMMERCIAL BROILER PROCESSING FACILITIES

Author
item Northcutt, Julie
item Jones, Deana

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2003
Publication Date: 4/25/2004
Citation: Northcutt, J.K., Jones, D.R. 2004. A survey of water use and common industry practices in commercial broiler processing facilities. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 13(1):48-54.

Interpretive Summary: A survey of commercial broiler processing facilities across the U.S. was conducted to determine overall water use. Seventy-two percent of the respondents reported using city water to process broilers, and 66% reported discharging to city sewers. Over 41% of the responses were from facilities located in the Southeast; however, there was no relationship between location (region of the U.S.)of the facility and water use or location of the facility and water recycling/reuse. Overall, the average water use prior to implementation of HACCP was 20.6 L/bird while the current, post-HACCP water usage was reported as 26 L/bird. Analysis of the data also showed a significant relationship between the amount of water used to process each broiler and the size of the broiler being processed. In addition, over 38% of the respondents reported that they recycle water, and a significant relationship was observed between the amount of water recycled and the size of the facility. Data from this survey may be used to assist companies interested in establishing water conservation programs and/or conducting water audits.

Technical Abstract: A survey of commercial broiler processing facilities across the U.S. was conducted to determine overall water use. Seventy-two percent of the respondents reported using city water to process broilers, and 66% reported discharging to city sewers. Over 41% of the responses were from facilities located in the Southeast; however, there was no relationship between location (region of the U.S.)of the facility and water use or location of the facility and water recycling/reuse. Overall, the average water use prior to implementation of HACCP was 20.6 L/bird while the current, post-HACCP water usage was reported as 26 L/bird. Analysis of the data also showed a significant relationship between the amount of water used to process each broiler and the size of the broiler being processed. In addition, over 38% of the respondents reported that they recycle water, and a significant relationship was observed between the amount of water recycled and the size of the facility. Data from this survey may be used to assist companies interested in establishing water conservation programs and/or conducting water audits.