Dairy manure wastewater and basic set-up question

[Sarah Dumm]

Hi all. I'm wondering about dairy manure wastewater in a vermifilter; how do the worms tolerate the high salinity? 

Additionally, can anyone direct me to resources regarding the initial acclimation of the material and worms prior to regular application of wastewater? 

Thanks!

[Dean Satchell]

Hi Sarah,

Dairy wastewater shouldn't be saline, it should comprise manure, urine and water, all of which are great for worms. Is there salt in the water you use?

Initial acclimation involves simply making sure the environment is appealing for the worms. This means an aerobic environment that drains well. Also, add the worms later, after you have been adding some dairy wastewater for a week or two... the vermifilter will function without them.

The environment does need to continue to drain well over time, however. It is important to understand that when worms are first added, they will not be in sufficient numbers to digest the volumes of manure coming in. Thus, while the population is building up, you don't want to add the full volume of waste, as the solids will build up on the surface, potentially impeding drainage of liquid. Once the worms build to a stable population, then provided your vermifilter capacity (volume and surface area) is sized appropriately for the volume of influent, surface build-up of solids will not occur.

Worms like it wet, but not swampy.

Cheers

Dean