Abstract: Wastewater may be reconditioned for re-use in a food processing line. The wastewater is subjected to coarse particle separation on the wastewater to create first stage water, after which large and small particles in the first stage water are separated in a liquid waste separator to create a second stage water. The second stage water is directed to a flocculation settling tank to aggregate remaining solids, and the remaining solids are removed to create a third stage water. Finally, the third stage water is treated with at least one of UV light and chemical antimicrobials to create reusable water. The reusable water is delivered upstream to reduce fresh water requirements. Ferrate (IV) is an exemplary antimicrobial that has broad applications in the food processing line.