Biosolids News
April 1, 2011
NBP News
NBP April 20 No Charge Webcast - New NBP Biosolids Management System Training Opportunity for Wastewater Agencies
This no charge webcast, hosted by the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP)and Water Environment Federation on April 20 from 2:00-3:15 pm Eastern, will provide an overview of a new “no charge” training opportunity for wastewater agencies to address the appropriate management of biosolids. NBP has received a grant from U.S. EPA that will allow up to 15 agencies to sign up and receive free training and technical assistance designed to help enhance existing biosolids programs that can help prepare an agency/organization for certification. At the conclusion of the webcast, participants will be given an opportunity to request more information on applying for a spot. Speakers will present an overview of the new NBP training opportunity and information on how biosolids programs have benefitted in the past from this program. The enrollment period is from April 20 until June 1 to form the new class. On-line Registration Form More Information
NBP April 21 No Charge Webcast - Implementing the New Sewage Sludge Incineration MACT Standard Rulemaking – Issues and Challenges
The National Biosolids Partnership will host a “no charge” webcast on Thursday, April 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm EDT to discuss issues associated with EPA’s final rulemaking to regulate sewage sludge incinerators (SSIs) under the more stringent maximum achievable control technology (MACT) requirements under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act. Some of the topics that will be covered include: background to the regulations, comparison of the proposed and final rulemaking, technology impacts, and next steps. Online Registration Information More Information
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Around the Nation
Louisiana DEQ Extends Deadline to Apply for Sewage Sludge and Biosolids Use or Disposal Permits
The March 21 Southwest, LA Daily News reported that facilities discharging less than a million gallons of sanitary wastewater per day and do not receive external domestic septage or portable toilet waste will now have until January 1, 2013 to apply for a Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Sewage Sludge and Biosolids Use or Disposal Permit. The Department of Environmental Quality extended the deadline to apply from June 1, 2011. Sanitary wastewater treatment works are required to obtain this permit for the use or disposal of sewage sludge generated during the treatment of domestic sewage within a treatment works. DEQ officials estimate there are more than 7,000 sanitary wastewater treatment works in the state subject to the deadline.
Virginia DEQ Sets Hearing on Biosolids Regulations
The Altavista, VA Journal reported on March 16 that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. on proposed amendments to regulations that control the land application of biosolids.
The hearing comes in the midst of a public comment period, which began Feb. 28 and will end on April 29. Proposed changes would affect the following: biosolids storage requirements, permit fees, site access control, consistency between Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) permits and Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permits, public notice processes, permit modification procedures, processes to establish appropriate buffers to address health concerns, sampling requirements, nutrient management requirements, animal health issues associated with grazing, financial assurance procedures, permitting procedures, distribution and marketing of exceptional quality biosolids, reclamation of mined and disturbed lands and reimbursement of local monitors. Full Story
Woonsocket, RI Considers Waste To Energy
The March 16 Woonsocket, RI Patch reported that Woonsocket officials are looking into options to add a waste to energy plant on to the incinerator on Cumberland Hill Road. The plant would use the heat that is already being created by burning sludge and turn it into electricity. But first, Woonsocket Rep. Jon D. Brien must get a bill through the General Assembly that changes Rhode Island law to allow a waste to energy facility in Woonsocket. The current law, passed in the early 90s, places a statewide ban on “waste to energy combustion of any sort or matter.” Full Story
Thermal Hydrolysis System Helps Increase Biogas Production
The current issue of Water World describes a study that when challenged with the goal of converting wastewater treatment systems from energy consumers to energy, producers inevitably leads to an evaluation of the potential of biosolids. Biosolids are the largest energy resource available within a wastewater treatment plant. Therefore the use of biosolids needs to be optimized to take full advantage of its renewable energy properties. Enhancement of biogas yields are generally achieved from the application of a pre-treatment process. One of the most effective of these is thermal hydrolysis. However, thermal hydrolysis generally consumes more energy than it helps produce. However, the process can be significantly improved if the solids fraction in the incoming biosolids is increased. Full Story
Composting Facility Planned for Sun Peaks Utilities, Canada
According to the March 30 Sun Peaks, Canada News, Sun Peaks Utilities is proposing to install an on-site composting facility that will use the biosolids to produce Class A compost. A designation of Class A means that all of the pathogens have been destroyed during treatment. By composting, the utility will have the ability to deal with the whole wastewater management cycle—from collecting the initial wastewater, treating it, dewatering the biosolids and reusing it as compost. Full Story
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Conferences
Residuals and Biosolids 2011: Adapting Residuals Management to a Changing Climate
- WEF is proud to present the 25th Annual Residuals and Biosolids Conference, focusing this year on local and national perspectives on sustainable biosolids management technologies and programs that instill these new policies. The conference will be held May 22–25, 2011 at the Sacramento, CA Convention Center. Registration information Important Dates: April 20 -Super Saver Deadline; April 30 - Housing Deadline; May 11 - Last Day to Register Online
Four Innovative Pre-Conference Workshops
- 18 Technical Sessions
Topics addressed this year include building public support and addressing political and media issues, future opportunities and emerging technologies, marketing of biosolids and residuals products, environmental management systems, thickening and dewatering, odor and pathogen control, and much more. View the Draft Agenda (PDF).
- Wastewater Challenge!
The 2011 WEF Wastewater Challenge, taking place Sunday, May 22 at 8:00 am, is a national competition that's both challenging and fun. This hands-on event requires teams of students to treat agricultural runoff from a biosolids compost facility in order to protect a wetland ecosystem, using an assortment of household products. For additional information, visit www.wef.org/WastewaterChallenge.
- Friends of Biosolids Social Event at the California State Railroad Museum
Join your colleagues Tuesday, May 24 at the California State Railroad Museum located in Old Sacramento. Widely regarded as North America’s most popular railroad museum, there is something here for everyone! A $20 ticket includes a five minute bus ride, two drink tickets, and generous hors d’oeuvres.
To view WEF conferences and webcasts, click here
Training
NBP April 20 No Charge Webcast - New NBP Biosolids Management System Training Opportunity for Wastewater Agencies
This no charge webcast, hosted by the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP)and Water Environment Federation on April 20 from 2:00-3:15 pm Eastern, will provide an overview of a new “no charge” training opportunity for wastewater agencies to address the appropriate management of biosolids. NBP has received a grant from U.S. EPA that will allow up to 15 agencies to sign up and receive free training and technical assistance designed to help enhance existing biosolids programs that can help prepare an agency/organization for certification. At the conclusion of the webcast, participants will be given an opportunity to request more information on applying for a spot. Speakers will present an overview of the new NBP training opportunity and information on how biosolids programs have benefitted in the past from this program. The enrollment period is from April 20 until June 1 to form the new class. On-line Registration Form
NBP April 21 No Charge Webcast - Implementing the New Sewage Sludge Incineration MACT Standard Rulemaking – Issues and Challenges
The National Biosolids Partnership will host a “no charge” webcast on Thursday, April 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm EDT to discuss issues associated with EPA’s final rulemaking to regulate sewage sludge incinerators (SSIs) under the more stringent maximum achievable control technology (MACT) requirements under Section 129 of the Clean Air Act. Some of the topics that will be covered include: background to the regulations, comparison of the proposed and final rulemaking, technology impacts, and next steps. Online Registration Information More Information
WERF Report - Concentration Dynamics of Fecal Indicators in Hawaii's Coastal and Inland Sand, Soil, and Water during Rainfall Events
The goal of this Water Environment Research Foundation project was to understand how the concentrations of indicator bacteria in inland stream water, beach water, and beach sand change under rainfall induced runoff conditions. It compared the concentration dynamics of three different fecal indicators, including E. coli and enterococci and an alternative indicator C. perfringens. This project also compared cultivation-based membrane enumeration of enterococci using mEI agar with quantification using qPCR technology. The specific objectives were to monitor the concentrations of FIBs before and after rainfall runoff events in beach water and sand at Waialae-Kahala Beach and stream Report is free for WERF subscribers and $50 for non-subscribers. More information
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