This resource provides guidance on wash water discharge planning for vegetable wash and pack facilities in Vermont.
Commercial vegetable farms in Vermont need clarity about how to handle vegetable wash water discharge. While there are no regulations specifically aimed at vegetable wash water, this material is considered to be ‘process waste water’ and thus comes under Agency of Natural Resource rules and the Required Agricultural Practice rule intended to protect water quality. If simply washing vegetables without otherwise processing them, a permit is not required to discharge wash water. However, wash water may not be discharged directly into surface water such as a lake, pond or stream--or a ditch that empties into surface water.
V. Grubinger, C. Callahan, J. Faulkner, R. Achilles, and J. Buckley. Guidance on Wash Water Discharge from Vegetable Pack Sheds - Advice on System Design. UVM Extension with Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. May 16, 2016.