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BIOSOLIDS

BIOSOLIDS. Safe and Sustainable Management Options. What Are Biosolids. Comprised primarily of bodies of single celled organisms used in wastewater treatment Extended digestion process thoroughly breaks down organic material. Who Are the Local Biosolids Producers. Everyone!.

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BIOSOLIDS

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  1. BIOSOLIDS Safe and Sustainable Management Options

  2. . What Are Biosolids • Comprised primarily of bodies of single celled organisms used in wastewater treatment • Extended digestion process thoroughly breaks down organic material

  3. Who Are the Local Biosolids Producers Everyone!

  4. Local Biosolids Management • Sanitary Districts • City Wastewater Treatment Plants

  5. Characteristics • Blackish in color • 15% - 90% Solids • Mud-like to granular appearance • Mild to strong odor (musty or swamp like)

  6. EPA Classification • Biosolids are classified according to : • Pathogens (disease causing organisms) • Metals

  7. Pathogens • Class A • Virtually pathogen free • Class B • Treated to remove most pathogens

  8. Metals • EPA Table 3 • Metals concentrations below threshold for impact

  9. Science Behind Biosolids Recycling • Pathogens removed • Metals below level of concern and immobilized in soil • Many metals are trace nutrients • Organic chemicals generally not present or at very low levels

  10. Benefits of Biosolids • Humus building • Nutrients • Nitrogen, • Phosphorous • Potassium • Organic Nitrogen • Micro Nutrients

  11. Soil Benefits Soil without biosolids Soil with biosolids Holds water Water Runs off Loses nutrients Soil compacted Adds Nutrients Mixes with Soil

  12. Crops Benefits Larger crop yields Better root system

  13. Comparison to Other Fertilizers • Pathogens • Metals • Other

  14. Comparison of Nutrients in Biosolids and Manures

  15. Comparison of Heavy Metals in Biosolids and Manures

  16. Comparison of Heavy Metals in Biosolids and Commercial Fertilizers

  17. Public Perception • ‘Ick / Yuck’ Factor • It’s Poop!

  18. Common Public Concerns About Biosolids 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 • Heavy Metals • Pathogens • Organic Chemicals (PCB’s DDT etc.)

  19. Current Practices • Land Application – Kern County • Distribution to local public • Composting – Kern County • Composting – Santa Barbara County

  20. Range of Biosolids Recycling and Disposal Alternatives • Disposal • Landfill • Monofill • Incineration • Recycling • Chemical stabilization • Pelletization • Land Application • Composting

  21. Drawbacks of Biosolids Disposal • Availability of Landfill Space • None in county • Out-of-County Difficult and Expensive • Environmental Impacts of Incineration • No Monofills

  22. Threats to Biosolids Recycling • Political Control • Poorly Managed Operations • Odor Complaints • Poorly Sited facility • Incomplete Information to Public • Public Perception

  23. SB 926 • Allows Kern County to ban importation of biosolids for application to land. • Status • Approved by State Senate • Assembly action pending

  24. NEVADA AZ MEXICO Current Status of Land Application in California • Notes: • Ordinances that permit land application may have restrictions that are more severe than U.S. EPA 503 Regulations. Consult each ordinance to verify. DEL NORTE DEL NORTE SISKIYOU MODOC SHASTA LASSEN HUMBOLDT TRINITY TEHAMA PLUMAS GLENN BUTTE SIERRA MENDOCINO MENDOCINO NEVADA COLUSA YUBA PLACER LAKE SUTTER YOLO EL DORADO SONOMA NAPA AMADOR ALPINE SACRAMENTO SOLANO CALAVERAS MARIN CONTRACOSTA SAN JOAQUIN TUOLUMNE MONO SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO STANISLAUS MARIPOSA Ban on Land Application ALAMEDA SAN MATEO SANTA CLARA MERCED MADERA SANTA CRUZ Practical Ban FRESNO INYO SAN BENITO TULARE Ban on Class B MONTEREY KINGS SAN LUIS OBISPO KERN Ordinance Permits Land Application SAN BERNARDINO SANTA BARBARA No Regulations/Ordinances Enacted VENTURA LOS ANGELES RIVERSIDE ORANGE SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL

  25. OREGON NEVADA AZ MEXICO Tomorrow’s Picture ? 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 Other Alternatives Composting Site (limited Capacity) Available Landfill Rev. 7/18/01

  26. Developing Sustainable Alternatives • Informed Decision Makers • Local Control • Siting • First Rate Operation

  27. MJSWTG • November 2003 – TAC Identified an in-county composting site as having sufficient capacity to meet mid-term (5-15 year) needs. • Identified inclusion of biosolids in the MSW Recycling and Waste Conversion Facility as preferred long term approach.

  28. Ideal Outcome • Long term in-county sustainable solution(s)

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