A New Emphasis on Market Based Approaches to Biosolids Management
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NCAWWA-WEA Spring Conference A New Emphasis April 2016 on Market Based Approaches to Biosolids Management Bob Forbes, P.E. CH2M, Charlotte, NC [email protected] April 19, 2016 1 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx Wastewater Global Service Team Agenda • Review of current status of residuals management in US and nationally • Emerging trends on residuals management during the past decade • How public opinion has shaped residuals management policies and practices • Emerging technologies and products • A look to the future • Questions 2 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 WastewaterParadigm Global Service Shifts Team in Biosolids Management From Charting the Future of Biosolids Management, a State-of-the-Industry Review (2010) 3 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Wastewater Global Service Team Estimated Biosolids Use and Disposal in North Carolina in 2010 (NC-DENR, 2011) Biosolids End Use or Destination Dry Metric Tons (Mg) of Percent of Total, Biosolids per Category Each Category Beneficially Used: Marketed as “Class A” Product 38,000 22% Land Applied “Class B” on Restricted 74,000 43% Sites Total Biosolids Beneficially Used: 112,000 65% Disposed of: Incineration 32,000 18% Landfill 30,000 17% Total Biosolids to Incineration & Landfill: 62,000 35% Total for 2010 174,000 100% 4 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Wastewater Global Service Team 5 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 EstimatedWastewater Global Biosolids Service Team Beneficially Used in North Carolina in 2010 (NCDENR, 2011) Type of Biosolids Production Number of Dry Metric Percent of Facilities Tons (Mg) of Total, Each Reporting Biosolids Used Category Composting 15 13,200 12% Alkaline Stabilization 10 15,100 13% Heat-drying 5 8,200 7% Class A Digestion or Pasteurization 3 1,500 1% Total “Class A” Distribution & 33 38,000 34% Marketing Total “Class B” Land Application n/a 74,000 66% Total Biosolids Beneficially Used n/a 112,000 100% 6 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Here’sWastewater Globalwhat Service we’re Team up against: • http://vimeo.com/24854061 • http://www.sludgefacts.org/ (Dr. Caroline Snyder) • http://www.sludgevictims.com/ (Helane Shields) • http://www.usludgefree.org/ (United Sludge-Free Alliance) • http://www.sewagesludgeactionnetwork.com/ (NC-based site) • http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/campaign/sewage-sludge/ • http://www.sludgenews.org/ • http://deadlydeceit.com/ (Jim Bynum) • http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Portal:Toxic_Sludge 7 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 HumanWastewater Global Health Service Team Risk Evaluation of Land Application of Biosolids (NC-DHHS, 2005) The report concluded that the following issues should be addressed in the permitting of land application of biosolids, due to concerns that current EPA and state rules regarding land application may be posing increased health risks to residents adjacent to these sites: • Establishment of biosolids application sites, including setbacks and proximity issues • Amounts of biosolids that can safely be applied to different crops • Concerns of odor from biosolids • Concerns of exposure and adverse health effects from biosolids contaminants in humans and animals. 8 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 WhatWastewater GlobalShapes Service Team Public Opinion: The Report “Biosolids Land Application: A Critical Assessment of Treatment Options, Alternatives, and Community Perceptions “ (UNC, 2009) concluded: • Lack of Research - Little funding, lack in substantive, unbiased research into biosolids land application health risks. • Lack of Regulation - Not perceived to be strict enough to meet all stakeholder needs. • Lack of Alternatives - Alternatives are costly and may have similar health concerns to land application. The lack of alternatives suggests a need for improving current methods of land application. • Blind Eye Towards the Problem- Public officials, of the national, regional, and local level have tended to ignore possible public health problems associated with biosolids application • Health Concerns - Rural residents attribute health problems to land application sites near their homes. • Public Awareness - The report stated that local citizen groups, namely Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) and Sewage Sludge Action Network (SSAN), provided resources and tools for educating the public on the issue. • Forum/Discussion - More discussion in the form of an educational or alternative technologies forum regarding biosolids land application would be extremely beneficial. • Further Changes Suggested - Broad agreement that some changes are needed to improve biosolids management practices. Production of organic by-products is a natural part of life. Land application of biosolids mimics a natural cycle of returning nutrients into the soil system, but there is a need to define the risks. 9 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 NorthWastewater Carolina Global Service Setbacks Team for Class A and Class B Land Application 10 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 ConcernsWastewater Global Service identified Team in December 2010 Biosolids Summit (WEF, EPA) • A more fragmented, state-by-state regulatory framework that increasingly drifts from the Federal regulatory baseline • The introduction of more restrictive management practices such as fence-line setbacks and incorporation requirements; increased legal liability • Greater uncertainty around the mid-term viability of technology and programmatic choices • A substantial increase in management costs • Greater complexity associated with obtaining and maintaining management options. 11 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 EvolvingWastewater Global Servicenational Team trends especially pertinent to North Carolina: • Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission restrictions in ozone non-attainment areas • More stringent nutrient (especially phosphorus) limitations in discharges to surface waters • Fertilizer product certification requirements • Increasing links between biosolids, solid wastes, and other organic residuals such as animal manures. 12 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 WastewaterDespite Global negative Service Team publicity, the world of biosolids marketing is making great progress! Consider the following examples: Nationally: • Milorganite – almost a century of dried biosolids product from Milwaukee • LOOP for your soil – Seattle/King County, Washington • TAGRO biosolids soil amendments – Tacoma, Washington • Class A digested biosolids – Washington, DC • Anuvia biosolids-amended fertilizer – Zellwood, FL • Dried biosolids North Carolina: • Award-winning, utility-owned farms (Fayetteville, Raleigh) • Long running and successful composting programs (Lexington, Morganton, McGill Environmental, Eastern Compost) • Thermal biosolids drying - now established technology (Cary, Mooresvile, Winston-Salem) 13 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Wastewater Global Service Team Milorganite – The success story from “Caddyshack” 5.0% Total Nitrogen (N) 2.0% Available Phosphate (P) N-P-K Analysis 0.0% Potash (K-typically is about 0.5%) 4.0% Iron (Fe) 0.58% Sulfur (S) 0.68% Magnesium (Mg) Typical Micro- 0.045% Zinc (Zn) nutrients 0.022% Copper (Cu) 0.133% Manganese (Mn) Trace amounts of Boron (B) and Molybdenum (Mo) http://www.milorganite.com/retailers/milorganite-and-your-business 14 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 LOOPWastewater Globalfor Your Service Team Soil is a great biosolids marketing initiative for Seattle/King County, Washingon http://www.loopforyoursoil.com/what-is-loop/ Simply put, Loop is good stuff that builds good soil. If it didn’t have so much science behind it, it could be magical. So let’s settle for “almost magical.” 15 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Wastewater Global Service Team TAGRO – Class A Biosolids from Tacoma, WA 16 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 Wastewater Global Service Team TAGRO Pricing Structure TAGRO Mix $10 per cubic yard for City of Tacoma residents, non-City of Tacoma residents, and commercial customers TAGRO Mix "free pile" -- limited quantities available. TAGRO Potting Soil $30 per cubic yard $15 for a 1/2 cubic yard Just need a little? Bring a few containers or buckets and you can purchase a cart's worth of Potting Soil (approximately 4 cubic feet) for just $5. TAGRO Topsoil $23 per cubic yard 17 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 DCWaterWastewater Global– ServiceClass Team A Biosolids Dewatered Cake from Thermal Hydrolysis and Digestion Largest thermal hydrolysis installation in the world https://www.dcwater.com/education/biosolids.cfm 18 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 AnuviaWastewater Global™ ServicePlant Team Nutrients, Zellwood, Florida http://anuviaplantnutrients.com/technology/ 19 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 NorthWastewater Global Carolina Service Team based McGill Composting http://www.mcgillcompost.com/ 20 2015_WWGST_PPT_Template_01.pptx NCAWWA-WEA Spring 2016 NorthWastewater Carolina Global Service Team Biosolids marketing (Scott Carpenter, SoilPlus) • Dried Biosolids: From NC and SC sources, 3,000 to 3,500 tons is being moved to turf and golf courses. 2,000 tons is being used on early soybean use. 3,600 tons is going on corn. 750 tons is going wheat. 2,000 tons is going on Pasture and hayfields. Can get at minimum