nutrient recovery

Nutrient Recovery in Today’s Market:Why, How, and Why Not?

October 4, 2011

Matt Kuzma – Vice President, Wastewater Solutions

2 © 2011 OSTARA NUTRIENT RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PEARL AND CRYSTAL GREEN ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. | O s t a r a . c o m

• Urban areas greatly concentrate nutrients

• Complete phosphorus fertilizer “bans” are a knee-jerk reaction

• Urban wastewater utilities have the opportunity to provide a better solution

The Urban Phosphorus Nexus

3 © 2011 OSTARA NUTRIENT RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CRYSTAL GREEN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. | O s t a r a . c o m

Today’s Phosphorus “Lifecycle”

Phosphate Rock Mining

Fertilizer Production

Food Consumption

Fertilizer Application

Return to Environment

Production Wastewater

Wastewater Treatment


Friend as a “Nutrient”:

– Necessary for agriculture and essential component for life

• 160 million tons of phosphate rock mined annuallyFoe as “Pollution”:

– Recognized as leading cause of eutrophication in water bodies

• ~365,000 tons/year of phosphorus in US sewage

Phosphorus – Friend or Foe?

Result: Phosphorus is really a mismanaged resource.


Phosphorus as an “Emerging Issue”

Sustainable P Initiative


Future Phosphorus “Lifecycle”

Phosphate Rock Mining

Fertilizer Production

Food Consumption

Fertilizer Application

Return to Environment

Production Wastewater

Wastewater Treatment


• Technology Acceptance– Does it work?– Are there reliability or complexity concerns?

• Company Viability– Will the company be around to support the technology?

• Value Proposition– Does it “help” me?– Does it save me money?

• Budget Allocation & Timing– When will funds become available if we decide to proceed?– What budget does the project get allocated to?

• Procurement & Contracting– Sole source & competitive process

Market Barriers


• “Performance Contract” Model+ Eliminates Technology Risk+ Eliminates Company Viability Risk+ Eliminates Capital Expenditures─ Not “standard” process─ Procurement Challenges

• “Sole Source” & competitive procurement (RFP)• History and model for performance contracting

“Solutions” Lead to New Challenges


• Revenue Sharing+ Eliminates client risks with byproduct+ Emphasizes both organizations core competencies to

maximize value+ Creates mutually beneficial objectives– Few existing models for revenue collection– Evaluation challenges

“Solutions” Lead to New Challenges


• How does a conservative and resource-limited market “reward” thinking ahead?

• What framework can be developed to support addressing challenges “outside” our industry?

• How can we develop relationships with the regulatory agencies to reach the intended result (and avoid the unintended consequences)?

• Where does the water/wastewater industry fit into “resource management”?

• How can we consolidate support to define objectives and fund the work to reach them?

Outside Challenges


A Father’s Advice…

Market Daily News

Plant Manager Fails to Act on Opportunity to Improve Water QualityWhile presented with the opportunity to add an exciting new technology to the local wastewater facility, Sewer District declines to add new technology that would cost-effectively improve water quality to the Market River.

Market Daily News

County Officials Fail to

Act on Opportunity

to Save Money at Local Wastewater Plant

While presented with the opportunity to save expenses required to operate and maintain the

Market Wastewater Treatment Plant, County officials decline opportunity and fail to take

action on proposal.

Market Daily NewsCity Officials Fail to Act on Opportunity to

Address Looming Resource Crisis

As the Market Metropolitan area faces a looming shortage of phosphorus for use in local

agriculture and food production, City declines to act on opportunity to recover nutrients

from the Market wastewater treatment plant and produce fertilizer for use in our local

agricultural community…


For more information, please contact:

Matt Kuzma

Vice President, Wastewater Solutions

[email protected]

Office (206) 402-5867 / Mobile (206) 419-1993

Thank you

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