Status Report Blue Plains Biosolids Master Plan and
Status Report: Blue Plains Biosolids Master Plan and COG Staff Support Report to the Blue Plains Regional Committee by Chris Peot and Karl Berger July 23, 2009
Presentation Outline n Current status n Program highlights n Digester implementation opportunities n Research projects n BPRC biosolids program costs
Blue Plains Biosolids Tonnage
Continued Dependence on Virginia Land Application Program ERCO closure MCMRF closure
Challenges We Face n Organized public opposition n Legislative and regulatory initiatives n n 11 VA General Assembly bills on biosolids passed since 2001; more expected Nutrient management, environmentally–sensitive site, storage and health-related restrictions n Legal challenges n n Virginia case settled for reported $300, 000 Pennsylvania court case pending n NIEHS study now underway in NC, VA
Strategic Initiatives n Digester implementation beginning in 2014 n Exploration of new end use options (composting) n Broad-based research program n n Digestion parameter research in association with Va Tech New options/beneficial re-use research n n n Va Tech University of Maryland Microconstituents
Tactical Initiatives n Invest in Virginia biosolids institutions n n VAMWA Virginia Biosolids Council n Participate in key forums n n VA Biosolids Expert Panel (2007 -2008) Chris Peot VA DEQ Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee (2008 -2009) Karl Berger n Invest in existing dewatering/stabilization process n n Biosolids EMS elements have included improvements to lime mixing/odor control, polymer dosing, dewatering capabilities Biosolids Workgroup monthly meetings
Blue Plains Biosolids Contracting Costs New WSSC contract New WASA contracts
Recent Program Highlights n Virginia Biosolids Council n Biosolids News, web page, proactive promotion of biosolids recycling n VA DEQ Expert Panel and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) n Panel found no evidence that biosolids harms human health or the environment n TAC is considering regulatory changes based on the findings of the EP n Research continues at USDA/U of MD and Va Tech n Fate of organic compounds in land applied biosolids (triclosan and PBDE’s) n Odor monitoring, modeling, and prevention n Biosolids use and crop drought resistance n Trenching and surface application to hybrid poplar trees n New enclosed storage facility (Urban Services/Nutri-blend) n Composting initiatives n No biosolids landfilled this year
New Storage Facility – 15, 000 tons capacity, Cumberland County, VA
Two Composting Projects 25 wtpd onsite facility 200 wtpd contracted
Mc. Gill – Fully enclosed, biofilter odor control
DCWASA Digester Project n Class A product in 2014 n Designing a thermal hydrolysis pre-digestion plant n Diversification of end use n n land application blended soil product n Potential savings $6. 5 M w/product marketing n Can establish market through composting initiatives n Drafting a strategic plan to introduce compost back to DC for review by the GM’s office
Previous Blue Plains compost projects n 300 wtpd at Site II n 200 wtpd at Blue Plains n All marketed and recycled
Examples of other marketing Baltimore 850, 000 cy marketed LA County 50 yrs experience Milwaukee $12. 50/bag at Home Depot
Tacoma, Washington n Digested, Class A biosolids blended with soil and sawdust n Tagro mix sells for $8/yard for residents, $10/yard for non-residents and commercial customers n Tagro potting soil sells for $30/cy
Ongoing Research Projects n Under BPRC n n n Biostimulant/greenhouse gas study Wye surface application Task Order projects on greenhouse gas balance, land base analysis n DC-WASA funded n n Va Tech trenching study Triclosan, triclorocarbon (DC-WASA) PBDEs (DC-WASA) Odor modeling and prevention n WSSC funded n ERCO-University of MD (WSSC)
BPRC Sponsored Projects Previous projects include: forest nutrient dynamics*, phosphorus fate and transport and heavy metals * Final reports available on COG web site
Biostimulant Research at Tech
Hybrid Poplar Research at Wye
BPRC biosolids budget (proposed) n $130, 000 for research task n n Will support 2 nd year of biostimulant/carbon sequestration project Will support 2 nd year of surface application to poplars project n $80, 000 for outreach task n n n TAC process/regulatory changes Coordination of VBC, VAMWA initiatives Coordination of legislative responses n Continued staff support to Biosolids Workgroup (under BPRC staff support task)
BPRC Biosolids Program Costs previously projected
Next Steps n Continue to support land application option n Maintain digester implementation schedule n Expand exploration of end use options post- digestion
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