Exploring the Marketability and Beneficial Use of BioSolids
City of Midland Background City of Midland owns and operates POTW and Landfill (compost facility) Residual management program – Approved sub surface land app. Class B / Class A compost(Winter belt press) WWTP – (2) .5MG prim dig. (1) 1.0 MG sec. dig. /1MG bio holding /belt filter press
Bio-solid Recycling and Beneficial use Bio-solids can be beneficial to soils and plants Improved soil physical properties are the results of the addition of organic matter and plant nutrients
What are Bio-solids Bio-solids are mostly organic solids resulting from the treatment of wastewater that has undergone treatment to kill pathogens and have been approved by EPA for land application as a fertilizer and soil supplement
Class A and Class B Bio-solids Bio-solids can be in several forms including liquid, dried or pellet form or compost Any bio-solids used on land application should be described by the degree of stabilization. Michigan recognizes 2 levels of sludge stabilization; labeling as Class A and B bio- solids Liquid application to farm fields is the most widely used application process in the U.S.
Regulations EPA 40 CFR 503 Regulations Michigan Administrative Rule Part 24 All Bio-solids require pathogen reduction, pollutant and nutrient analytical Facilities that land apply in Michigan are permitted by MDEQ to recycle class A and B bio-solids Annual reports are required by MDEQ
Could we market bio- solids as a product? Could we sell? Should we sell? How would we sell? Class A or B? Liquid or dry? Liability? Could we market as a fertilizer? Soil Amendment? Could we bid out to farmers? Landscape Co.? Could we provide Service? Can we recover our cost of land application? Could we maintain budget?
Midland WWTP Class A Bio-solid Recycling Midland’s class A EQ bio -solid is derived from the liquid class B product but is further processed by dewatering and composting. In 2005 RMP modification approved by MDEQ composting bio-solids and yard clippings, and distribution of such product as a soil amendment. 2006 we researched the viability of this product for use in the agricultural industry and future use in the landscaping industry.
Midland Composted Bio-solids Process Class A bio-solids are produced by dewatering the digested solids then blending with wood chips and leaves and composted at city landfill. The composting process takes approx. 16 weeks to accomplish during the summer months.
MCB Process The blended material is windrowed to manage the biological process Windrows are turn by the landfill staff on a routine basis to help aerate the process Temperatures of the windrows are monitored to verify the biological process
MCB Process Upon achieving the optimum temperature of 130 degrees (approx. 10 weeks weather dependent) staff continues temperature monitoring and turning of the windrows After 2 weeks of optimum temps the windrows remain idle
MCB Process After composting staff rough screens and sample the product to verify Class A EQ compost. The class A product has been used in city flower bed, golf course and ground restoration projects. Staff performed a demonstration project for amending agricultural soils.
Demonstration of Class A bio-solids Need to demonstrate viable product if going to market Keep MDEQ involved with demonstrations of bulk use Determine how to market, bulk or less than bulk or bag Determine if rough screen product is feasible to use as landscape soil amendment
Class A Compost in City Flower Beds
Agriculture Demonstration Plot 1 20 acre soy bean field: 2.2% Organic content of soil/CEC 3.9 pre application (sand) 12 yd/ac MCB applied and worked into soil on 10 acres of the field 10 acres untreated
Demonstration Results Plot 1 Yield increase of 5 bushel per acre on the 10 acres treated Improved organic content up to 2.7% CEC increased from 3.9 to 5.9 Improved root structure of crop
Commentary
Demonstration Results Plot 2 10 acre corn field: 1.4% organic pre application (sand) 40 yd/ac applied and worked into soil pH 7.8 Nitrogen value of compost equal agronomic needs
Demonstration Results Plot 2 Yield: 200 bushel per acre Organic content of soil improved to 2.4% pH improved to 7.5% CEC improved from 5.4 to 9.4 MDEQ Bio-solid division staff in corn field July 7, 2006
Commentary Kris Meyer farmer /land owner: The 10 acres in which we applied in the spring of 2006 had improved water retention (reffering to the low volume of rain received) I expected reduced crop production as in years past with such little rain but the opposite has occurred.
Why use a MCB Soil Amendment Long Term improvement of the physical properties of the soil translates into $$$$$$$ When improving the organic matter in soil we improve: Nutrient retention, Water retention, Improved CEC, Permeability, Aeration and Microbial activity
Why Class A Bio-solids Marketable soil amendment product which can be used by the general public with little or no requirements Less liability Easier to handle and distribute Easier to store Improve water quality
Class A Bio-solids Reduced Regulations Class A EQ bio-solids being used,sold or marketed in volume of less than 1 ton (approx 2 yards) have no regulation in regards to use Class A EQ bio-solids being used in bulk form of greater than 1ton can be permitted to require only record keeping of whom received such product and location where used
Product Marketability Market segments - landscapers /agriculture Bag or bulk Demand for the product / Competition Appearance Product/Application – soil amendment, topdressing
Midland Bio-solid Compost (MBC) - 2007 Midland Bio-solid compost rich organic matter Midland Bio-solid Compost enhances soil rooting media providing Characteristics better water retention and increases the ability of soil to hold nutrients. The organic Organic Matter 48% and long lasting and break down usable pH 7.0 nitrogen over a 8 – 10 week period. C:N Ratio 14:1 Midland Bio-solid Compost is derived from stabilized anaerobic digested sludge . Nutrients The bio-solids are mixed with residential Total Nitrogen 2.0% yard waste and wood chips and composted Total Phosphorus 1.7% to create MBC. All MBC is tested and per EPA Total Potassium .30% MDEQ guidelines are classified as exception quality bio-solids. MBC also contains trace Micronutrients amounts of micronutrients including iron, Copper .04% zinc, copper, magnesium, molybdenum Zinc .05% and manganese. Direction : Avoid direct application in areas that flood, on wetlands or into surface water. Wash hands after use. Lawns : On established lawns apply top dressing ¼” to ½” and rake into soil, new lawns apply ½” to 1” of MBC for every 4” of soil being conditioned. Trees & Shrubs : For established shrubs scatter approx. 20 lbs. of MBC per 100’ sq’ uniformly over the soil and work into soil. For transpla nting shrubs use approx. 2lbs. of MBC per foot of shrub height and mix with soil at the bottom of the hole when shrubs are transplanted. For transplanting container grown trees use 3lbs. per foot or tree height and mix with loose soil at bottom of hole when trees are transplanted from containers. Potting Soil : For potting soil use blend 20 to 50% MCB with soil or growing media and fill container with MBC blend to about 2” from the pot rim and pat down firmly. Form hole in MBC blend and place the root ball into soil at about the same depth as in the original container. Agriculture use : For home garden use apply 30 lbs. of MBC per 100 sq.’ uniformly over the soil and work into soil. For large field crop use consult your local farm coop or compost distributor. Analytical results are available upon request. Manufactured by: City of Midland Utilities Department, 2125 Austin, Midland Mi. 48640
Cost for Class A Class A – approx $270 per dry ton to produce Class B – approx $150 per dry ton Class A does not include maint. cost. Proposed upgrades – transportation, conveyor system, fine screener, bag system, upgrade press?
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