OLYMPIA, WA, Oct. 11 2007 -- Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in University Place was honored Oct. 9 with Washington's top environmental award for designing and building a facility that makes high quality, readily usable fertilizer from biosolids while eliminating the use of 90 tons of toxic chemicals per year.
The Pierce County facility received the 2007 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices in a ceremony at the state capitol. Chambers Creek is among 11 companies and agencies the state recognized this year for their success in moving the Washington towards a more sustainable future.
"These winners represent the best of the best at protecting the environment while running profitable businesses," said Jay Manning, Department of Ecology Director. "I never fail to be impressed by the creativity and vision displayed by these award winners. They show that in Washington you can protect the environment and succeed commercially at the same time."
The Chambers Creek facility receives and treats 17.1 million gallons of wastewater daily. The wastewater treatment facility includes a fertilizer manufacturing plant that produces SoundGRO™. The fertilizer meets or exceeds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for biosolids-based fertilizer classified as Exceptional Quality (EQ) Class A product.
In the past, the facility flared off the biogas from the treatment process; now they use it to fire the dryers for fertilizer production. Treated wastewater replaces 500,000 gallons of drinkable water daily in producing fertilizer production and irrigating the landscaping.
A low-pressure, high-intensity ultraviolet light disinfection system for the wastewater has replaced 90 tons of chlorine and sulfur dioxide gasses used annually. This system automatically adjusts the amount of UV light needed in the disinfection process. The manufacturer recycles the spent UV lamps.
The numbers: Reuse 500,000 gallons water/daily. In 2006, reduced diesel by 8,660 gallons/year and reduced biogas emissions by 160,000 cubic feet.
The award winners reduced or even eliminated their use of toxic materials, applied key principles of sustainability, and conserved resources that otherwise would have been consumed.
Click here for more information about the award
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