Perdue Farms receives 2003
Clean Water Award
March 17 2003
by Dave Wilson. (Wilson is the public outreach coordinator for the MD Coastal Bays Program.)
The Perdue Farms plant in Showell has been awarded the US Poultry
and Egg Association 2003 Clean Water Award and for good reason.
Given for outstanding treatment facilities, the annual award is
bestowed to one poultry processing plant in the US every year
for its efforts in controlling point source pollution. Another is given for pre-treatment
efforts. US Poultry announced the winners earlier this month at
its Environmental Management Seminar in Raleigh, NC.
For their 1998 upgrade and subsequent well-rounded approach to
protecting water quality and wildlife, the plant was cited as
a paragon in poultry processing. Five years ago the plant went from simple lagoon nutrient
processing of its wastewater to an activated sludge Bardenpho
system which includes total nitrogen removal and significant phosphorous removal.
The plant goes well beyond the minimum standards required by the
state.
Additionally, plant operators have kept their 200-acre facility
in as natural a condition as possible for wildlife. Plantings
around ditches have slowed nutrient flow from rainfall and native trees and shrubs
around the plant serve as an unusual haven in a working environment.
At its seminars for growers, Perdue teaches the ins and outs of
environmental stewardship and is always promoting the latest techniques.
As part of its community outreach efforts, the progressive business
offers processing plant tours in which workers describe each process
in detail and help visitors learn the nature of the business. Coastal Bays staff
and volunteers have enjoyed these informative tours.
The Clean Water Reward Review Committee chose Perdue Farms after
numerous site reviews and visits to semifinalists' locations.
The committee is composed of industry and environmental officials. American Proteins
of Alabama received an honorable mention for its treatment facility
and Wayne Farms of Douglas, Ga. received the Clean Water Award for its excellence
as a pre-treatment facility.
For their efforts, Perdue serves as an example for all other businesses
to follow- not just those in the poultry industry. By going beyond
minimum standards, the chicken giant has shown that they care about the
natural environment and the community that depends on it.
It has been a pleasure for the Coastal Bays Program to work with
Perdue on a number of projects. Partnerships forged with mutual
understanding and respect are the only real partnerships. The Coastal Bays Program
congratulates Perdue for their award and looks forward to continuing
to find efficient and voluntary ways to protect what we all love about
the shore.
Part of the National Estuary Program, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is a cooperative effort between Worcester County, Berlin, and Ocean City which have come together to produce the first ever management plan for their bays.
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site Directory Copyright 2003 - Maryland Coastal Bays Program Questions? Email: mcbp@mdcoastalbays.org |