Joint BUC / WEAO Biosolids Seminar “Building Trust & Partnership” Wednesday, 7 December 2005

1. Joint BUC / WEAO Biosolids Seminar “Building Trust & Partnership” Wednesday, 7 December 2005 Felice Petti, P.Eng. City of Ottawa

2. Agenda • Ottawa Biosolids Program Summary • Return to Land Application • Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Biosolids Management System (BMS) • Five-Year Outlook 2

3. Biosolids Program Summary • Biosolids Management Plan • Last update was approved in December 2001 • Included recommendations for short and long-term management: • Develop multiple end uses; • Implement an Environmental Management System; • Improve industrial source control; • Further review of technologies in support of multiple end uses; • Land Application. 3

4. Biosolids Program Summary Senior Management Review of Biosolids Management System BMPs Created Biosolids Management System Development & Implementation (Ongoing) Land Application Land Application Suspended By Council Return to Land Application Nutrient Management Act (2002) Biosolids Management Plan Update Completed and Approved (2001) Review of Management Plan Update Technical Review 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 4

5. Biosolids Program Summary • Program Highlights • 2004:Total of 41,020 mt managed at a cost of $2.97M (or approx. $248K per month). • Composting – 80% • Landfill Cover – 20% • 2005 (to end of October):Total of 35,200 mt managed at a cost of $2.6M (or approx. $260K per month). • Composting – 81.7% • Landfill Cover – 10.5% • Land Application – 7.8% 5

6. Biosolids Program Summary New In the Last 5 Years • Land Application Program – reinstated • Best Management Practices – approved • Biosolids Management System – developed and implemented

7. Trust • “If a person is not able to trust, he or she will interpret erroneously the words and actions of others.” • The Seat of the Soul ~ Gary Zukav • “ … these misunderstandings, generate feelings of surprise, sorrow, frustration, anger, resentment and eventually rejection.”* • … And Fear!

8. Partnership • “When individuals enter into a partnership, the ability of each to survive is enhanced.”*

9. City of Ottawa Approach • Risk Management • Communication • Transparency • Public Safety

10. Return to Land Application • The desire to return to land application was driven largely by economics. • Development of the city’s BMPs and the Biosolids Management System were required before land application could proceed. • Key Objective: Raise people’s comfort level with land application. • In-house information sessions for Councillors were fundamental to ensuring that information was properly positioned and presented in a timely manner. 10

11. Best Management Practices Strategy Three key elements are required to addresses the concerns of Council and the public: • Health Protection; • Program Transparency to the public; • A Conservative Approach which standardizes methodologies and separation distances. 11

12. Best Management Practices Going Beyond Compliance • BMPs are procedures designed to manage the biosolids program in a manner that is consistent, transparent, and verifiable, and in excess of the MOE guidelines. • Developed by city’s Public Health Officer based on literature review, information gathered from interviews, and experience in the field. • Main focus is on the land application program. 12

13. Best Management Practices • BMPs are divided into 7 program elements: • Site Selection and Approval; • Land Application; • Inspection and Monitoring; • Source Controls; • Communication; • Incident Response; • Training. • Cover all aspects of the land application program, from selecting application sites, the approval process, and spreading activities, to record keeping and auditing. 13

14. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale - Health Protection and Conservative Approach 14

15. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale – Transparency 15

16. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale - Health Protection and Conservative Approach 16

17. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale - Transparency 17

18. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale – Conservative Approach 18

19. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale – Transparency 19

20. Best Management Practices Sample BMP Rationale - Transparency 20

21. Biosolids Management System • Context • Required under the BMPs • Modelled upon ISO and US National Biosolids Partnership systems • Drafted and implemented in 2004 – 2005 • Undergoing 1st audit this month 21

22. Biosolids Management System Key Elements of the BMS • Policy • Planning • Continual Improvement • Hazard Identification and Risk Management • Critical Control Points • Product Requirements • Legal & Other Requirements • Project Management • Operational Asset Management 22

23. Biosolids Management System Key Elements of the BMS • Implementation • Organizational Structure • Training, Awareness and Competence • Communication • Management System Documentation • Document Control • Operational Programs • Emergency • Procurement 23

24. Biosolids Management System Key Elements of the BMS • Checking • Monitoring and Measurement • Non-conformances • Records • Auditing • Review • Management Review 24

25. Biosolids Management System Example - Communication Queries and Complaints • Biosolids information telephone line and email account have been established – staff respond to all queries and complaints within 2 business days. • Health and odour related complaints are directed to and handled by the Health Department. • Biosolids Inquiry Tracking System (BITS) 25

26. Biosolids Management System Web Site • Includes general information about biosolids, program highlights, recent biosolids sample analytical results, the executive summary of the 2001 BMP, and links to other information sources. • Reviewed, at a minimum, once every month and updated as required. • http://ottawa.ca/city_services/waterwaste/biosolids/index_en.shtml Other Communications • Land Application – brochure; notification letters; canned articles (success stories). • One page biosolids program highlight sheet. 26

27. Biosolids Management System Performance Measures (Draft) BMS establishes performance measures that span policy, planning, implementation and review: • Beneficial Use – target 100% • End Uses – diversity • Emergency Response • Program Documentation • Communications • Public Queries and Complaints • Compliance / Conformance • Competitiveness / Efficiency • Updates and Budgets 27

28. The Future – 5-Year Outlook • Two additional digesters are currently under construction at ROPEC – increased biosolids production is anticipated. • Technical Review for biosolids program – going to committee in Q1 of 2006 with proposal for study • Biosolids Management Plan Update – Long-term diversification plan (post 2009). • Budget pressures. • No long-term commitment from committee and council with respect to land application – need to keep identifying and assessing alternatives. 28

29. Thank you… Questions? 29