Biosolids Management and Odor Control Project

Biosolids Management and Odor Control Project

Biosolids Facility is Back Online!

During the May flood our Biosolids Facility was flooded with 3-4 feet of water. After months of hard work, the facility was placed back in service the end of September.

Impact

Throughout the summer, while the Biosolids Facility was undergoing repairs, unpleasant odors were experienced in the area, odors that had not been present since January 2008 when the facility originally went online. Now that we are once again processing sludge into biosolids, the odors have sharply decreased – a dramatic example of one of the community benefits of the Biosolids Facility.

We will also, once again, be experiencing a major cost savings. Transportation of dry biosolids is significantly less expensive than transportation of wet sludge for disposal. For example, below is a comparison of costs:

  • July 2008 – wet sludge disposal, pre-Biosolids Facility - $126,106.39
  • July 2009 - dry biosolids disposal, Biosolids Facility Online - $26,291.74
  • July 2010 – post-flood disposal costs, Biosolids Facility Offline - $156,891.22

Solids Hauling Costs Chart

Biosolids Facility Recovery Status (11/10)

1. Work has been completed on the critical process areas of the Central biosolids facility including:

  • repair of damages to the electrical system
  • repairs to the thickening process
  • repairs to the digester control system
  • repairs to the heat drying process

2. Work is underway for repair of one of the fixed digester covers. The remaining work consists of replacement of the membrane covers for two of the digesters and some minor electrical work.

History

The biosolids management project included upgrades at two plant sites. The equipment used to thicken and dewater the solids at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant was at the end of its useful life and has been replaced. The project added new anaerobic digestion and heat drying facilities to create Class A biosolid pellets which can be reused as a fertilizer. The biosolids project added anaerobic digestion to the Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, but did not include other work since the remaining facilities were in good shape. See the biosolids process. The upgrades were completed and the Biosolids Facility went online January 2009.

Existing Sludge Handling Facility (Central)
Existing Sludge Handling Facility (Central)

Future Biosolids Facility (Central)
Future Biosolids Facility (Central)

Odor Control Project

The odor control project will capture and treat all odor sources that would otherwise leave the Central and Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant sites. Treatment for the collected odors will be provided by biofilters. See the biofilter process. Construction is underway.

Wastewater Treatment Process Brochure Now Available

We recently completed an informative brochure describing the wastewater treatment process at Metro Water Services. Order your brochure here.