Water Quality

Our farms worldwide implement various water quality management programs according to the local needs and regulations. Preventive measures such as proper disposal of solid and liquid wastes, buffer zones in areas adjacent to bodies of water and effective wastewater treatment facilities are continuously being implemented and re-evaluated. Soil erosion control measures such as planting of cover crops along field canals and waterways also contribute to effectively maintain the quality of runoff water. Water quality and physico-chemical content monitoring tests are conducted by trained staff in our farms on a regular basis and the results of these water tests help us evaluate the condition of our local water resources and immediately take corrective actions if necessary.

Buffer Zones Buffer zones are created to protect water sources and waterways.

Water Quality Monitoring  Water samples are taken from various water sources and tested in accredited laboratories. The result of the environmental risk assessment determines the frequency of the water quality monitoring.

Wastewater Treatment Facilities Wastewater from banana packing stations in Brazil passes through a series of filters prior to discharge at drainage outlets. These drainage channel outlets are equipped with screen traps to avoid discharge of banana wastes into the drainage system.

Wastewater from pineapple packing stations is discharged into a retention tank that allows solid matter to settle at the bottom of the tank before the liquid discharges to primary drainage channels.

Residual filtration systems have been constructed in Cameroon to contain wastewater from the packing stations.

Wastewater in melon packing stations is discharged into retention lagoons for evaporation. During melon season, the climate is so dry that the rate of evaporation exceeds the rainfall amount.