Apex Water was engaged to design and construct a turnkey wastewater treatment plant for Olam Food Ingredients’ (OFI) new Tokoroa dairy factory, which started processing in August 2023.Wastewater produced from site operations is treated by a chemically-dosed dissolved air flotation unit (DAF), followed by a state-of-the-art membrane bioreactor (MBR), before being discharged to the South Waikato District Council’s water treatment plant as trade waste. The initial plan was for the wastewater to be discharged to an irrigation pond owned by the client. Part way through the design process, the client requested Apex explore options for the processed wastewater to be discharged to South Waikato District Council. The Council had much more stringent requirements, which necessitated the use of the MBR technology. Apex was flexible enough to be able to significantly change plant design during project delivery with little impact to the programme, which required the treatment plant be ready when first milk was received on site.