Industrial Conveyor Success Story
Algoma Chooses Patz Conveyors to Handle Fish Waste
The city of Algoma, WI, was facing a big problem at their wastewater treatment facility. Algoma residents and visitors catch over 150,000 fish each year on Lake Michigan. Fishermen cleaning their fish at the marina generate thousands of pounds of fish scraps, causing problems for the city's wastewater treatment facility. Fish scraps in the city of 3,500 people created waste equal to a city of 30,000.
Algoma Alderman and Chairman of the Marina Committee, Ken Taylor, contacted Patz to help them develop a solution to their problem. Patz team members worked with Ken to design a fish cleaning station for public use. On June 29, 2006, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the Dettman Fish Cleaning Facility at the Algoma marina, the first facility of its kind open to the public.
Patz manufactured the customized cleaning tables set up on two sides of a 30-foot Patz Model 8916 conveyor. Anglers on either side of the table can discard their fish scraps onto the conveyor, which empties onto a second Patz conveyor. The incline of the second conveyor allows the excess water to drain off before being transferred into a separate storage area. The fish scraps are then sent away to be processed into an environmentally friendly, organic fertilizer.
Up to 20 anglers can clean fish at the same time, leaving the fish scraps at the marina, taking filets home and not the mess. The tabletops can easily rinse clean and do not stain. Water hoses are provided to help the fishermen clean up their mess, as well as themselves. Sheets of clear plastic hang across the center of the cleaning tables to deflect the water sprayed on either side of the tables.
Patz is proud to be a part of the solution to create a win-win-win situation for the city, fishermen and the environment.
