BIOSOLIDS

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 with biosolids
Soil without biosolids
Holds water
Water Runs off
Loses nutrients
Adds Nutrients
Soil compacted
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
• Its 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
• (PCBs 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
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
LASSEN
SHASTA
HUMBOLDT
TRINITY
TEHAMA
PLUMAS
GLENN
BUTTE
SIERRA
MENDOCINO
MENDOCINO
NEVADA
COLUSA
YUBA
PLACER
LAKE
SUTTER
EL DORADO
YOLO
SONOMA
ALPINE
AMADOR
NAPA
SACRAMENTO
SOLANO
CALAVERAS
MARIN
CONTRA COSTA
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
IMPERIAL
SAN DIEGO
25
Tomorrows 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)