mjswtg biosolids work group biosolids safe and sustainable management options

MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group

BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS

Safe and Sustainable Safe and Sustainable Management OptionsManagement Options


What Are BiosolidsWhat Are Biosolids

• Comprised primarily of bodies of single Comprised primarily of bodies of single celled organisms used in wastewater celled organisms used in wastewater treatmenttreatment

• Extended digestion process thoroughly Extended digestion process thoroughly breaks down organic materialbreaks down organic material

.


Who Are the Local Who Are the Local Biosolids ProducersBiosolids Producers

Everyone!Everyone!


Local Biosolids Local Biosolids ManagementManagement

• Sanitary DistrictsSanitary Districts

• City Wastewater Treatment PlantsCity Wastewater Treatment Plants


CharacteristicsCharacteristics

• Blackish in colorBlackish in color

• 15% - 90% Solids 15% - 90% Solids

• Mud-like to granular appearanceMud-like to granular appearance

• Mild to strong odor Mild to strong odor (musty or swamp like)(musty or swamp like)


EPA ClassificationEPA Classification

• Biosolids are classified Biosolids are classified according to :according to :

• Pathogens (disease Pathogens (disease causing organisms)causing organisms)

• Metals Metals


PathogensPathogens

• Class AClass A– Virtually pathogen free

• Class BClass B– Treated to remove most pathogens


MetalsMetals

• EPA Table 3EPA Table 3– Metals concentrations below threshold for

impact


Science Behind Biosolids Science Behind Biosolids RecyclingRecycling

• Pathogens removedPathogens removed• Metals below level of concern Metals below level of concern andand

immobilized in soilimmobilized in soil• Many metals are trace nutrientsMany metals are trace nutrients• Organic chemicals generally not present or Organic chemicals generally not present or

at very low levelsat very low levels


Benefits of BiosolidsBenefits of Biosolids

• Humus buildingHumus building• NutrientsNutrients

– Nitrogen, – Phosphorous – Potassium

• Organic NitrogenOrganic Nitrogen• Micro NutrientsMicro Nutrients


Soil Benefits Soil Benefits

Soil with biosolids

Holds water Mixes

with Soil

Adds Nutrients

Loses nutrients

Soil compacted

Water Runs off

Soil without biosolids


Crops BenefitsCrops Benefits

Better root system

Larger crop yields


Comparison to Other Comparison to Other FertilizersFertilizers

• PathogensPathogens• MetalsMetals• OtherOther


Comparison of Nutrients in Comparison of Nutrients in Biosolids and ManuresBiosolids and Manures

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

Nitrog

en

Phosp

orou

s

Potas

sium

Sulfer

Co

nc

en

tra

tio

n p

pm

Biosolids

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Poultry

Swine


Comparison of Heavy Comparison of Heavy Metals in Biosolids and Metals in Biosolids and

ManuresManures

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Zionc

Coppe

r

Man

gane

se

Boron

Mol

ybde

num

Cadm

um

Co

nc

en

tra

tio

n p

pm

Biosolids

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Poultry

Swine


Comparison of Heavy Comparison of Heavy Metals in Biosolids and Metals in Biosolids and Commercial FertilizersCommercial Fertilizers

1

10

100

1000

10000

Cd Pb As Zn

con

cen

trat

ion

pp

m L

og

Sca

le

Biosolids

Fertilizer


Public PerceptionPublic Perception

• ‘‘Ick / Yuck’ FactorIck / Yuck’ Factor

• It’s Poop!It’s Poop!


Common Public Concerns Common Public Concerns About BiosolidsAbout Biosolids

• Heavy MetalsHeavy Metals• PathogensPathogens• Organic Chemicals Organic Chemicals (PCB’s DDT etc.)(PCB’s DDT etc.)

Land Application is the best means of returning to the soil nutrients and organic matter that were originally removed. It is recycling a resource just as recycling newspapers or bottles is. If the right safeguards are taken, it can be environmentally protective and even beneficial.” Sarah Clark – Environmental Defense Fund


Current PracticesCurrent Practices• Land Application – Kern CountyLand Application – Kern County• Distribution to local publicDistribution to local public• Composting – Kern CountyComposting – Kern County• Composting – Santa Barbara Composting – Santa Barbara County County


Range of Biosolids Range of Biosolids Recycling and Recycling and

Disposal AlternativesDisposal Alternatives• DisposalDisposal

– Landfill– Monofill– Incineration

• RecyclingRecycling– Chemical stabilization– Pelletization– Land Application– Composting


Drawbacks of Biosolids Drawbacks of Biosolids DisposalDisposal

• Availability of Landfill SpaceAvailability of Landfill Space– None in county– Out-of-County Difficult and Expensive

• Environmental Impacts of IncinerationEnvironmental Impacts of Incineration• No MonofillsNo Monofills


Threats to Biosolids Threats to Biosolids RecyclingRecycling

• Political ControlPolitical Control• Poorly Managed OperationsPoorly Managed Operations• Odor ComplaintsOdor Complaints• Poorly Sited facilityPoorly Sited facility• Incomplete Information to PublicIncomplete Information to Public• Public PerceptionPublic Perception


SB 926SB 926

• Allows Kern County to ban importation of Allows Kern County to ban importation of biosolids for application to land.biosolids for application to land.

• Status Status – Approved by State Senate– Assembly action pending


AZ

NEVADA

MEXICO

Notes:

• Ordinances that permit land application may have restrictions that are more severe than U.S. EPA 503 Regulations. Consult each ordinance to verify.

Ban on Land Application

Practical Ban

Ban on Class B

Ordinance Permits Land Application

No Regulations/Ordinances Enacted

DEL NORTE

MENDOCINO

SAN FRANCISCO

SISKIYOUMODOC

LASSENSHASTA

TR

INIT

Y

HU

MB

OL

DT

DEL NORTE

MENDOCINO

TEHAMAPLUMAS

GLENN BUTTE SIERRA

NEVADA

PLACER

EL DORADO

ALPINEAMADOR

COLUSA

LAKE

SONOMANAPA

YOLO

YUBA

SUTTER

SOLANOMARIN

CONTRA COSTA

ALAMEDA

SAN FRANCISCO

SACRAMENTO

SAN MATEO

SANTA CRUZ

SANTA CLARA

SAN JOAQUIN

STANISLAUS

CALAVERAS

TUOLUMNEMONO

MERCEDMARIPOSA

MADERA

MADERA

SAN BENITO FRESNO

TULARE

INYO

SAN LUIS OBISPO

KERN

KINGS

SAN BERNARDINO

SANTA BARBARA

LOS ANGELES

VENTURA

RIVERSIDE

IMPERIALSAN DIEGO

ORANGE

Current Status Current Status of Land of Land

Application in Application in CaliforniaCalifornia

MONTEREY


AZ

OREGON

NEVADA

MEXICO

Tomorrow’s Picture ?Tomorrow’s Picture ?

Rev. 7/18/01

Counties Likely Have Viable Class B Land Application

Sites After Jan 1, 2003

Unavailable for Land Application•Banned•Too Urbanized•No significant agriculture•Too Far

Available for Land Application

Composting Site (limited Capacity)Available Landfill

Other Alternatives


Developing Sustainable Developing Sustainable AlternativesAlternatives

• Informed Decision MakersInformed Decision Makers• Local ControlLocal Control• SitingSiting• First Rate OperationFirst Rate Operation


MJSWTG MJSWTG

• November 2003 – TAC Identified an in-November 2003 – TAC Identified an in-county composting site as having sufficient county composting site as having sufficient capacity to meet mid-term (5-15 year) capacity to meet mid-term (5-15 year) needs.needs.

• Identified inclusion of biosolids in the MSW Identified inclusion of biosolids in the MSW Recycling and Waste Conversion Facility Recycling and Waste Conversion Facility as preferred long term approach.as preferred long term approach.


Ideal OutcomeIdeal Outcome

• Long term Long term in-county in-county sustainable sustainable solution(s)solution(s)

mjswtg biosolids work group biosolids safe and sustainable management options

Documents