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Tapping into wastewater treatment research

March 23, 2016  By Dave Harrison



March 23, 2016, Brampton, Ont. – Greenhouse growers may soon be tapping into new wastewater treatment systems.

Ottawa is providing a $400,000 investment with Flowers Canada (Ontario) to help with the testing of cost-effective wastewater treatment systems.

“Canada’s horticulture sector contributes significantly to the country’s economy,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food.

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“This investment will help the floriculture industry develop a range of innovative options to help greenhouse operators effectively manage wastewater and improve their environmental sustainability.”
 
Developing and adapting on-farm waste water treatment systems is a top priority for the ornamental horticulture sector and this investment will help growers minimize the amount of pollutants (nitrogen, phosphorus and solids) in runoff water from greenhouses and nurseries.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
• In 2014, farm cash receipts of the ornamental horticulture sector were approximately $1.8 billion, with about $366 million in exports.

• Experimental water treatment systems will be tested on four farms in the Lake Simcoe and Niagara peninsula regions to test for residual pollutants in runoff water.

• Flowers Canada (Ontario) represents 250 provincial members, including distributors, importers-exporters of cut flowers and potted plants.

• This investment is being made through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), a five-year $50.3 million program that ends in 2019.
 
COLLABORATION BETWEEN PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT

“This project represents an incredible collaboration between the private sector and government, working together to promote environmental sustainability in ornamental horticulture,” said Andy Kuyvenhoven, president of Flowers Canada Growers Inc.

“Our members are engaged in developing new and innovative solutions for increasing water use efficiency on our farms. We are very excited about the outcomes of this project and appreciate the support.”


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