In June, MAF Industries hosted Open Days in Wenatchee and California, to give producers rethinking their treatment of water the chance to see ozone in action, says MAF’s Camilla Khrulova
“Chlorine might be cheap, but water is expensive,” commented one attendee at the recent Open Days event in Wenatchee and California, in the US, capturing the mood, and urgency, felt across the industry.
As regulations tighten and water discharge costs rise, producers are rethinking how they treat their most valuable resource. Traditional chemical treatments may once have been the norm, but they now risk limiting market access, polluting local ecosystems and failing to meet modern shelf-life expectations. The message is clear: it’s time to evolve.
That’s exactly what the Open Days, hosted by MAF Industries in partnership with the MWEC Water Excellence Centre and MAF Roda, set out to demonstrate. And they delivered.
In Wenatchee, the focus was on cherries — and not just in theory. Customers were welcomed to Washington Cherry Growers, where a centralised ozone system has been running for its second full season. They didn’t just hear about ozone’s potential, they saw it in action: treated water running safely through the line; operators working with confidence; and most importantly, healthy, shiny cherries, with visibly reduced spoilage.
The testimony from Washington Cherry Growers was unanimous: the system works and the results are remarkable. The real achievement, however, lies in what this installation represents. What used to be a technological ambition is now a working, proven solution — integrated into the most challenging real-life operations.
This is the very solution that MAF Industries has been innovating on: ensuring safe operation for both product and personnel, achieving precise control over ozone dosing, even with fluctuating water and raw material quality, and designing systems tailored to the high demands of fresh produce environments.
By solving these long-standing application barriers, MAF Industries has helped bring ozone from concept to reliable, daily practice. In California, the spotlight shifted to the citrus industry. Water challenges are different here — not only in quality, but also in policy. With no regulation on wastewater reuse in some regions, many producers have leaned heavily on chlorine. But with growing pressure from both regulators and export partners, the tide is beginning to turn. The citrus sector is now actively seeking smarter, safer and more sustainable water treatment strategies — and ozone is earning its place at the table.
Thanks to the commitment of MAF Industries, the innovation leadership of MWEC, and the global reach of MAF Roda, producers are now being equipped with more than just equipment — they’re being offered guidance, partnership and real-world success stories.
The event wasn’t just a success — it was a milestone. Ozone is no longer a future idea; it is a present-day advantage. And for those in fresh produce who want cleaner water, longer shelf-life and the ability to meet tomorrow’s standards today, the tools are ready. The question is no longer if; it’s when. Get in touch. See the difference. Let’s make the shift — together.
