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Department of Ecology News Release - Dec. 5, 2000
00-234
YAKIMA - A Selah fruit packing company will be recognized Tuesday, Dec. 5, as a leader in the industry for efficiently managing process water and storm water while at the same time protecting water quality and the environment.
Zirkle-Rainier Fruit Company will be honored with an Environmental Excellence Award, presented by the Washington State Department of Ecology during the annual awards banquet of the Washington State Horticultural Association, meeting in Yakima.
Even before fresh fruit packers began operating under a new wastewater general permit in 1994, Zirkle-Rainier Fruit recognized that properly managing wastewater and protecting the environment are integral parts of doing business.
When designing its new Harrison Road facility in 1989, the company sought guidance on how to manage process waste water in an environmentally sound way. When operations were expanded in 1999, the company recognized the need to build greater capacity to treat both process and storm waters.
As a result, the company installed an aerated lagoon system, incorporating a lined constructed wetland area that "polishes" the process water before it is discharged. Additional wetland habitat was created to naturally treat the plant's stormwater runoff.
"Over all, the packing industry has become more environmentally friendly," said Polly Zehm, Ecology Central Regional Director. "Zirkle-Rainier Fruit deserves special recognition for its forward thinking and ongoing achievements in environmental stewardship."
Zirkle-Rainier Fruit has been operating in Selah for more than 40 years and at its Harrison Road facility since 1989. The company pre-sizes, packs, stores and ships millions of boxes of apples worldwide under the Rainier label each year.
Ecology also will present a letter of recognition to John Tate of R.S. Cameron, Architects for his key role in the design, construction, and ongoing operation of this environmentally friendly treatment system.
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
