Dr. Gene Shelp reports

RECYCLE/REUSE TEST PROGRAM FOR THE HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE INDUSTRY POSITIVE STAGE TWO PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Operation of Enpar Technologies Inc.'s ESD CapDi unit was initiated last week at an Ontario hydroponic greenhouse operation. This second stage of the greenhouse testing program qualified for financial support through the water adaptation management and quality initiative (WAMQI). Funding for the WAMQI project has been provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The program is administered by Farm & Food Care Ontario.

The goal of the second-stage testing was to maintain the high removal of limiters, while achieving significantly higher water recovery. Management is extremely pleased with the initial results showing recovery of water approaching the target of 85 per cent. The experience gained from stage one testing enabled Enpar to tailor the unit design to more effectively address the water treatment needs of the Ontario hydroponic greenhouse industry. In doing so, the proportion of water available within the greenhouse through recycle and reuse will increase, thereby reducing overall fresh water requirements and the need for waste water disposal.

"We believe that the significantly higher water recovery is another important step toward establishing the ESD system as a viable option for reuse and recycle applications designed to enhance the sustainability and environmental stewardship of Ontario's $1.4-billion world-class greenhouse industry," stated Dr. Gene Shelp, Enpar's president and chief executive officer.