| Solids
Storage and Disposal Return to Process Page |
How are the Solids disposed of? After the solids have been treated in the anaerobic digesters, they are pumped to a storage tank where they are held for six months. During this time, the treated solids are allowed to further settle and the water is decanted from the top which  helps thicken the remaining material.
Samples of the Biosolids are collected and sent to a laboratory for
analysis. The concentrations of various metals and organic
nutrients are measured and checked against State and Federal mandated
limitations. If the Biosolids meet these stringent limits, they
can be disposed of through a process called land application.
During the Spring and Fall seasons, the thickened Biosolids are pumped
out of the storage tank into a semi trailer where it is hauled to local area
farms. At the farm, the biosolids are transferred
to a large ground-injection tractor called a Terragator. The
Terragator then injects the biosolids underneath the surface of the farm
field. The reason that subsurface injection is performed is to
ensure that contact with the Biosolids is limited. This provides an environmentally friendly way of returning the
nutrients to the soil. |
