MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group BIOSOLIDS BIOSOLIDS Safe and Sustainable Safe and Sustainable Management Options Management Options
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
BIOSOLIDSBIOSOLIDS
Safe and Sustainable Safe and Sustainable Management OptionsManagement Options
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
.
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Who Are the Local Who Are the Local Biosolids ProducersBiosolids Producers
Everyone!Everyone!
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Local Biosolids Local Biosolids ManagementManagement
• Sanitary DistrictsSanitary Districts
• City Wastewater Treatment PlantsCity Wastewater Treatment Plants
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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)
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
EPA ClassificationEPA Classification
• Biosolids are classified Biosolids are classified according to :according to :
• Pathogens (disease Pathogens (disease causing organisms)causing organisms)
• Metals Metals
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
PathogensPathogens
• Class AClass A– Virtually pathogen free
• Class BClass B– Treated to remove most pathogens
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
MetalsMetals
• EPA Table 3EPA Table 3– Metals concentrations below threshold for
impact
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Benefits of BiosolidsBenefits of Biosolids
• Humus buildingHumus building• NutrientsNutrients
– Nitrogen, – Phosphorous – Potassium
• Organic NitrogenOrganic Nitrogen• Micro NutrientsMicro Nutrients
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Soil Benefits Soil Benefits
Soil with biosolids
Holds water Mixes
with Soil
Adds Nutrients
Loses nutrients
Soil compacted
Water Runs off
Soil without biosolids
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Crops BenefitsCrops Benefits
Better root system
Larger crop yields
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Comparison to Other Comparison to Other FertilizersFertilizers
• PathogensPathogens• MetalsMetals• OtherOther
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Public PerceptionPublic Perception
• ‘‘Ick / Yuck’ FactorIck / Yuck’ Factor
• It’s Poop!It’s Poop!
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Range of Biosolids Range of Biosolids Recycling and Recycling and
Disposal AlternativesDisposal Alternatives• DisposalDisposal
– Landfill– Monofill– Incineration
• RecyclingRecycling– Chemical stabilization– Pelletization– Land Application– Composting
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Developing Sustainable Developing Sustainable AlternativesAlternatives
• Informed Decision MakersInformed Decision Makers• Local ControlLocal Control• SitingSiting• First Rate OperationFirst Rate Operation
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
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.
MJSWTG Biosolids Work Group
Ideal OutcomeIdeal Outcome
• Long term Long term in-county in-county sustainable sustainable solution(s)solution(s)