Biosolids Management Program Biosolids Management Program Updates: CFT and BMPUpdates: CFT and BMP

Blue Plains Regional Committee

April 26, 2007

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Cross Functional Team Cross Functional Team Activities UpdateActivities Update

Tracking regulatory changesTracking regulatory changes State changesState changes Local ordinancesLocal ordinances

Working with DMS to solve issuesWorking with DMS to solve issues 3 of 4 loading cranes running as of Monday3 of 4 loading cranes running as of Monday DMS personnel attend CFT meetingDMS personnel attend CFT meeting

Transitioning to new contractorsTransitioning to new contractors Urban Service/Nutriblend attended last weekUrban Service/Nutriblend attended last week Resolving some loading/access issuesResolving some loading/access issues

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Cross Functional Team Cross Functional Team Activities Update ContinuedActivities Update Continued

Monitor EMS aspectsMonitor EMS aspects Goals progressGoals progress Environmental impactsEnvironmental impacts

Inspection reportsInspection reports Truck overturned in field last month – no injuries, truck Truck overturned in field last month – no injuries, truck

damageddamaged No odor complaintsNo odor complaints Product quality high – one or two days where TMA (dead Product quality high – one or two days where TMA (dead

fish) noted, result of emulsion polymer use - used fish) noted, result of emulsion polymer use - used product in remote areasproduct in remote areas

Working with BMP team to provide input and Working with BMP team to provide input and feedbackfeedback

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Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

DCWASA Biosolids Recycling ProgramGreenhouse Gas Balance Benefits

February 2007 Hauling Totals

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

avoidance of inorganicfertilizers

carbon sequestration inthe soil

total net benefit

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Biosolids Management Plan Biosolids Management Plan UpdateUpdate

BackgroundBackground Regulatory Climate in VARegulatory Climate in VA Long Term Plan Long Term Plan Short Term PlanShort Term Plan

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BackgroundBackgroundThe Board, in October 2006, accepted The Board, in October 2006, accepted

Management’s recommendation to reject Management’s recommendation to reject the Digestion Facility (EDF) bid, due to the the Digestion Facility (EDF) bid, due to the high bid price, and placed the project on high bid price, and placed the project on holdhold

WASA Management recommended continuous WASA Management recommended continuous monitoring of:monitoring of:

1.1. Construction bidding environmentConstruction bidding environment2.2. Regulatory initiatives that could impact the Regulatory initiatives that could impact the

viability of land applicationviability of land application3.3. Maturing of evolving technologiesMaturing of evolving technologies4.4. WASA’s related financial positionWASA’s related financial position

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Today’s TopicsToday’s Topics Regulatory Climate in VARegulatory Climate in VA

Recent events in VARecent events in VA Efforts to counteract negative sentimentsEfforts to counteract negative sentiments

Long Term Biosolids Management PlanLong Term Biosolids Management Plan Monitoring new technologiesMonitoring new technologies Research pilot studiesResearch pilot studies Looking at more design alternativesLooking at more design alternatives

Short Term SolutionsShort Term Solutions Rehab of lime facilitiesRehab of lime facilities Continued research that supports land appContinued research that supports land app Capacity issues with dewateringCapacity issues with dewatering

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Regulatory ClimateRegulatory Climate

WASA’s biosolids product:WASA’s biosolids product: Is primarily land applied in Is primarily land applied in

VirginiaVirginia Comprises half of biosolids Comprises half of biosolids

applied in Virginiaapplied in Virginia The Virginia legislature has The Virginia legislature has

3 bills awaiting the 3 bills awaiting the Governor’s signature that Governor’s signature that will impact land applicationwill impact land application

Regulatory initiatives are Regulatory initiatives are driven by public sentiment driven by public sentiment and vocal opponents and vocal opponents

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Regulatory InitiativesRegulatory Initiatives Requirements of legislation in VA (awaiting Governor’s signature)Requirements of legislation in VA (awaiting Governor’s signature)

HB 2802 – Consolidates regulation of biosolids application under HB 2802 – Consolidates regulation of biosolids application under DEQ DEQ

$7.50 fee per dry ton (~ $800,000/yr for WASA)$7.50 fee per dry ton (~ $800,000/yr for WASA) New permit applications give site abutters a 30-day comment periodNew permit applications give site abutters a 30-day comment period Training and certification for persons applying Class B sludge Training and certification for persons applying Class B sludge

SB 1300 – Provides that a locality may regulate sludge storage SB 1300 – Provides that a locality may regulate sludge storage Special exception or special use permit to store sludge before applicationSpecial exception or special use permit to store sludge before application Does not apply if sludge is stored on same farm it will be applied to Does not apply if sludge is stored on same farm it will be applied to

HJ 694 Biosolids – Requires panel of experts to study impact of land HJ 694 Biosolids – Requires panel of experts to study impact of land application of biosolids on human health and the environmentapplication of biosolids on human health and the environment

Bottom Line – WASA’s biosolids land application program is still Bottom Line – WASA’s biosolids land application program is still viable and cost effective – BUT the long-term viability MAY be viable and cost effective – BUT the long-term viability MAY be impacted by further public concern and anti-biosolids groups.impacted by further public concern and anti-biosolids groups. WASA may be well served with a hedge (Class A product) against WASA may be well served with a hedge (Class A product) against the potential for legislative actions in response to negative public the potential for legislative actions in response to negative public opinionopinion

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Recent Events in VirginiaRecent Events in Virginia

Two restrictive local ordinances defeatedTwo restrictive local ordinances defeated Bedford and Campbell CountiesBedford and Campbell Counties Each instead adopted VDH model ordinanceEach instead adopted VDH model ordinance

Outreach efforts by Virginia Biosolids Council Outreach efforts by Virginia Biosolids Council very effectivevery effective

Tracking press storiesTracking press stories Biosolids fact books (Bedford and Campbell Counties)Biosolids fact books (Bedford and Campbell Counties) Letters to Virginia Farm Bureau and elected officialsLetters to Virginia Farm Bureau and elected officials

Legality of passing restrictive local ordinancesLegality of passing restrictive local ordinances Financial implicationsFinancial implications

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Long Term Biosolids Long Term Biosolids Management PlanManagement Plan

Monitoring new technologiesMonitoring new technologies Research pilot studiesResearch pilot studies Looking at more design alternativesLooking at more design alternatives Plan will be completed a year from nowPlan will be completed a year from now

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Evolving TechnologiesEvolving Technologies Preliminary investigations Preliminary investigations

indicate that:indicate that: New technologies are now New technologies are now

available that were not available that were not proven/available when EDF facility proven/available when EDF facility design starteddesign started

Some of these technologies Some of these technologies produce Class A biosolids with less produce Class A biosolids with less digestion capacity than the EDF digestion capacity than the EDF projectproject

A review of technologies is now A review of technologies is now warranted and is underway, warranted and is underway, including:including: Cambi – Thermal HydrolysisCambi – Thermal Hydrolysis United Utilities – Enzymic United Utilities – Enzymic

HydrolysisHydrolysis EnerTech Technologies – EnerTech Technologies –

SlurryCarbSlurryCarb Limited-scale piloting will be done Limited-scale piloting will be done

for the most feasible for the most feasible technologies, as appropriatetechnologies, as appropriate

Cambi – Thermal Hydrolysis

United Utilities – Enzymic Hydrolysis

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Biosolids Management PlanningBiosolids Management PlanningBMP UpdateBMP Update

2001 Biosolids Management Plan (BMP) 2001 Biosolids Management Plan (BMP) must be updated to:must be updated to: Evaluate potential markets for various productsEvaluate potential markets for various products Evaluate new proven technologies for volume Evaluate new proven technologies for volume

reductionreduction Re-evaluate value of a Class A biosolids productRe-evaluate value of a Class A biosolids product Reduce cost – goal is short-term payback periodReduce cost – goal is short-term payback period Assure long-term viability of BMPAssure long-term viability of BMP

BMP Update Technology Approach – 2 StepsBMP Update Technology Approach – 2 Steps Screen potential technologiesScreen potential technologies In-depth evaluation of most viable screened In-depth evaluation of most viable screened

technologiestechnologies

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Need short term plan while long term Need short term plan while long term BMP is implementedBMP is implemented

Capacity issues with dewateringCapacity issues with dewatering Rehab of existing facilitiesRehab of existing facilities Continued research that supports land Continued research that supports land

appapp

Interim (Short Term) Interim (Short Term) Solutions Solutions

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Biosolids Management PlanningBiosolids Management PlanningCurrent Status of Biosolids Current Status of Biosolids

ProgramProgram Blue Plains produces a high Blue Plains produces a high

quality Class B productquality Class B product Minimal amounts of Minimal amounts of

biosolids are sent to landfill biosolids are sent to landfill (0% in 2006)(0% in 2006)

Environmental Management Environmental Management System certification, under System certification, under the National Biosolids the National Biosolids Partnership, provides Partnership, provides proactive management of proactive management of the land application processthe land application process

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Biosolids Management PlanningBiosolids Management PlanningCurrent Status of Solids ProcessingCurrent Status of Solids Processing 2001 Biosolids Management Plan called for digestion 2001 Biosolids Management Plan called for digestion

by 2009by 2009 As digesters will not be on-line in 2009As digesters will not be on-line in 2009

50% reduction in solids to be dewatered will not be achieved50% reduction in solids to be dewatered will not be achieved Continued reliance on lime stabilizationContinued reliance on lime stabilization

Current solids processing systems:Current solids processing systems: Are sized for reduced digested sludge volumeAre sized for reduced digested sludge volume Have constraints and equipment reliability issuesHave constraints and equipment reliability issues

Existing solids processing systems must be reinforced Existing solids processing systems must be reinforced to:to: Increase reliability and assure adequate capacityIncrease reliability and assure adequate capacity Repair equipment failures more quickly Repair equipment failures more quickly Eliminate system bottlenecks that limit liquid process Eliminate system bottlenecks that limit liquid process

operationsoperations

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Dewatering Capacity IssuesDewatering Capacity Issues

Current Dewatering CapacityCurrent Dewatering Capacity 495 dtpd (11 centrifuges, 45 dtpd/each)495 dtpd (11 centrifuges, 45 dtpd/each) 495 dtpd is 2 week peak495 dtpd is 2 week peak Peak day is 719 dtpdPeak day is 719 dtpd Solids back up in plant on peak daysSolids back up in plant on peak days Can bring in contract dewatering if Can bring in contract dewatering if

necessarynecessary Assumed that digesters in place in 2009Assumed that digesters in place in 2009

Tonnage cut in half, plenty of capacityTonnage cut in half, plenty of capacity

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Rehab Existing FacilitiesRehab Existing Facilities

Solids facility equipment unreliable – Solids facility equipment unreliable – much was to be mothballed in 2009much was to be mothballed in 2009 EMPC-IV report showed deficiencies in EMPC-IV report showed deficiencies in

most of the critical conveyors, lime feed most of the critical conveyors, lime feed system, cranes, etc.system, cranes, etc.

EPMC-1A now putting together a plan EPMC-1A now putting together a plan to correct deficiencies and to support to correct deficiencies and to support the WASA Dept of Maintenance the WASA Dept of Maintenance ServicesServices

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Maintain Existing Land Maintain Existing Land Application ProgramApplication Program

Continue diversification effortsContinue diversification efforts Composting in VAComposting in VA More mine reclamation (EPA demo site)More mine reclamation (EPA demo site) Continuing to pursue PA land baseContinuing to pursue PA land base

Continue with proactive communication Continue with proactive communication effortsefforts

Continue to support research effortsContinue to support research efforts Product improvementProduct improvement Build confidence w/public and regulatorsBuild confidence w/public and regulators Diversify programDiversify program

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Blue Plains 2006/2007 Blue Plains 2006/2007 Biosolids Biosolids

Research ProjectsResearch ProjectsProject Research Entity Funding Source

Odor Modeling U of MD WASA nutrient rebate Fate of EDC’s in WWTP U of MD WASA nutrient rebate Fate of EDC’s from Land Application USDA WASA nutrient rebate Deep Row Trenching with Poplars in VA VA Tech WASA nutrient rebate Deep Row Trenching with Poplars in MD U of MD WSSC Biosolids Odors and Fecal Regrowth VA Tech/ Bucknell WASA nutrient rebate Sludge to Oil Bucknell University WASA nutrient rebate Biodiesel Byproduct (Glycerol) for BNR VMI WASA research budget Biosolids Odors from Limed Product VA Tech WSSC Sliviculture Application Rates VA Tech BPRC research budget Essential Plant Hormone Secretion VA Tech/ Bucknell BPRC research budget

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The EndThe End

Questions?Questions?..