Partnership forms biosolids program

The US city of Atlanta in Georgia and USFilter Operating Services (USFilter) signed a long-term US$ 200 million agreement to develop and manage a city-wide Class A biosolids program that will recycle 90% of the wastewater solids and sludge produced by the city's wastewater treatment plants. The reuse program will enable the city to substantially reduce the use of incinerators and generate a fertiliser for Atlanta citizens to use at no cost.

The agreement calls for USFilter to oversee a US$ 54m design and construction phase and then operate and manage the city's wastewater reuse program that will produce and market approximately 100 dry tons per day of biosolids. These nutrient-rich organic materials, when separated from wastewater and processed according to US Environmental Protection Agency standards, can be recycled as fertiliser.

USFilter will manage the design and construction phase of two new biosolids treatment plants - a 60-dtpd system at the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center and a 40-dtpd unit at the Utoy Creek Water Reclamation Center - in addition to refurbishing equipment at the city's four wastewater reclamation centres. The new treatment plants will use an indirect drying method for wastewater solids designed and manufactured by Seghers Better Technology of Belgium. During the construction phase, USFilter will operate the city's waste disposal program that involves incinerating 60% of its waste excess. The rest will be transported to local landfills.