Orange County Utilities Water Reclamation Division. Biosolids Recycling Program

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1 Orange County Utilities Water Reclamation Division Biosolids Recycling Program

2 Biosolids Management Program What are biosolids? Where do biosolids go? How do we ensure public confidence?

3 The Wastewater Treatment Process 53 million gallons of wastewater per day are treated and reused as reclaimed water. The Orange County Utilities Water Reclamation Division serves over 137,000 homes & businesses. These homes and businesses produce 53 million gallons of wastewater per day. Biological wastewater treatment produces 37 dry tons of biosolids per day.

4 The Wastewater Treatment Process Wastewater is combined with a bacterial mixture and aerated The hungry bacteria naturally cleanse the water of wastes by consuming the organic matter in the wastewater

5 The Wastewater Treatment Process Air is added to ensure the microbial action of the bacteria is optimized Bacteria are separated from water by settling and filtration

6 The Wastewater Treatment Process Bacteria multiply and must be removed Concentrated bacteria are known as sludge, sludge, residuals or biosolids

7 Biosolids Management Program What are biosolids? Where do biosolids go? How do we ensure public confidence?

8 Land Application Takes the place of mineral fertilizers Improves water retention of soil Environmentally responsible

9 Future Biosolids Production Biosolids that meet the highest standards of treatment are termed Class AA and are approved for unrestricted use. We plan to transition our Class B facilities to Class AA production facilities in the future. Milorganite,, the City of Milwaukee s s Class AA biosolids product, is sold in home garden centers nationwide for urban use. Biosolids fertilizers are 100% organic, so they breakdown slowly releasing nutrients as they do so. Organic fertilizers are more likely to be fully used by plants and less likely to cause runoff nutrient problems.

10 The Biosolids Nutrient Cycle As humans, we consume agricultural products and produce wastes. The biosolids are used as fertilizer to produce products for our use and consumption. These wastes contain nutrients that are transformed into biosolids by our wastewater treatment processes. A cycle much like recycling glass or aluminum!

11 Biosolids Management Program What are biosolids? Where do biosolids go? How do we ensure public confidence?

12 Management Challenges Proposed Regulations Public Perception Land Disposal Issues

13 National Biosolids Partnership US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Association of Clean Water Agencies

14 Participation Requirements Responsibility for the full biosolids value chain Follow NBP s Code of Good Practice Implement the NBP s biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS) Attend training workshops and share information Third-party verification

15 Environmental Management System Policies Goals and Objectives Processes and Procedures

16 Third-Party Verification Audit Consistency with NBP requirements Consistency among partners Ensures that EMS is implemented

17 EMS Benefits Prepares for changes in legal requirements Educates the public Considers and responds to public input Demonstrates a commitment to excellence

18 Additional Benefits Minimizes risk Maximizes performance Reduces program costs Boosts competitiveness Improves stakeholder relationships Optimizes operations

19 Contact Information For more information, please contact the Water Reclamation Division at , or by at Para más información, por favor llame al Departamento de Servicios Públicos del Condado de Orange y pida hablar con un representante en español. El número de teléfono es