The Region of HaltonThe Region of Halton

Biosolids Management into the Biosolids Management into the FutureFuture

Regional Municipality of HaltonOntario, Canada

Current StatusCurrent Status• Ability to remove solids from WWTP’s “on demand” is critical to maintain effluent quality• Production in 2001

• 318,848 m3 liquid biosolids• 8,216 m3 dewatered cake

• Liquid biosolids applied to land within Halton• Dewatered cake stored and applied to land within and outside Halton• Program operations under contract by Terractec Environmental Ltd.

Limitations of Current StrategyLimitations of Current Strategy• Insufficient land within Halton to apply 100% of biosolids currently produced• Available agricultural land expected to decrease marginally in the future• Biosolids quantities estimated to increase by 60% over next 20 years• Storage time at BMC estimated to decrease to less than regulation minimum 6 months by 2008• Inability to access farmland during wet weather can result in inadequate storage at the BMC

Biosolids Projections

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

Pro

ject

ed B

ioso

lid

s P

rod

uct

ion

(m3 /y

)

20012021

Acton

Georgetown

Milton

Mid-Halton

Oak SW

Oak SE

Skyway

Required vs. Available Land

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Year

Land

(ha)

Available land in Halton

Land required for liquid biosolids (excluding Skyway)

Total land required for liquid + Skyway cake

Considerations for Future BiosolidsConsiderations for Future Biosolids ManagementManagement

• Continue land application to the extent that can be supported by land within the Region

• highly successful program• continuing demand from farmers• Regional investment in infrastructure

• Diversify biosolids management program to include one of the following options:

• non-competing nutrient end use• non-nutrient end use

Non-Competing Nutrient End UseNon-Competing Nutrient End Use• Ontario Compost Guidelines – compost from biosolids does not meet criteria for unrestricted utilization – not an option• MOEE/OMAF Guidelines – pathogen free biosolids (US EPA Class A) not recognized at this time, crop restrictions in Ontario – not an option• Ag Canada Fertilizer Act – biosolids marketed as fertilizer under the Act must meet certain requirements including metal content but no site or crop restrictions – potential option

Non-Competing Nutrient End Use Non-Competing Nutrient End Use (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Halton biosolids meet metal requirements in Agriculture Canada Fertilizer Act and US EPA limits for “Exceptional Quality” biosolids• Alkaline stabilization and drying/pelletization are producing products in Ontario that are being marketed, under the Fertilizer Act, for higher value end uses

Non-Nutrient End UseNon-Nutrient End Use

• Thermal destruction of organic material leaving inert ash for disposal• Potential energy recovery from combustion of the organics in biosolids• Fluidized bed combustion considered state-of-the-art incineration technology based on:

• energy efficiency• air emission control

Existing Management Options

Biosolids Management Centre Storage Liquid to LandDigested Biosolids

Mobile Dewatering

Dewatering Cake to Land

Cake to Halton Landfill

Cake to Private Landfill

Diversification Options

Contingency

Diversification OptionsDewatered Cake

Temporary Storage

Incineration Ash to Landfill

Alkaline Stabilization Product to Market

Land Application Landfill Cover Disposal in Landfill

Thermal Drying Product to Market

Land Application Landfill Cover Disposal in Landfill

Contingency

Contingency

Alkaline StabilizationAlkaline Stabilization

• Beneficial use option• Inactivation of pathogens to produce Class “A” biosolids

• addition of alkaline mixture such as lime or cement kiln dust• elevate pH > 12 for 72 hours• maintain temperature > 52oC for 12 hours• dry to > 50% solids

Alkaline Stabilization (cont’d)Alkaline Stabilization (cont’d)

• Product • fertilizer value• acts as liming agent for low pH soil • improves soil structure

• No site or crop restrictions on use• Operating facilities approved in Ontario• Product marketed under Fertilizer Act• Experience with marketing product in Ontario

Thermal Drying/PelletizationThermal Drying/Pelletization

• Beneficial use option• Inactivation of pathogens to produce Class “A” biosolids

• temperature of biosolids > 80oC• moisture reduced to < 10%

• Product• used directly as a fertilizer• component for the manufacture of commercial fertilizer

Thermal Drying/Pelletization (cont’d)Thermal Drying/Pelletization (cont’d)

• No site or crop restrictions on use• Operating facilities approved in Ontario• Product marketed under Fertilizer Act• Experience with marketing product in Ontario

IncinerationIncineration

• Complete destruction of pathogens, viruses and organics

• high temperature combustion >800ºC• Heat recovery possible for in-plant use• Autogenous combustion at 28% solids

• no additional fuel required• Majority of metals immobilized in ash• Minimal volume of residue for ultimate disposal• Can meet stringent air emission criteria

Sites Visited by Halton Team

• Incineration– London

• Alkaline Stabilization– Sarnia– Leamington– Syracuse

• Drying/pelletization– Windsor– Smiths Falls– Toronto

Technology Rating CriteriaEnvironmental Sustainability Reliability Cost

Odours Changes in legislation

Proven technology

Capital

Air emissions Public opinion Complexity O&M

Surface/ground water

Ability to expand

Dependence on weather

Soil Competition Waste on demand

Public exposure Contingency

Ease of permitting

Rating of Acceptable Technologies

Incineration Alkaline Stabilization

Thermal Drying

Environmental 2.5 2.83 2.83

Sustainability 1.5 2.25 1.75

Reliability 2.6 2.8 2.6

Cost 2 2.5 2.5

Total Score 8.6 10.38 9.68

Preliminary Identification of Preliminary Identification of Recommended SolutionRecommended Solution

Diversify Halton’s biosolids management program to address land availability limitations by:• Building an alkaline stabilization facility to process the excess biosolids • Developing a program to market the resulting product to end users outside the existing land application program

Implementation PlanImplementation Plan• Public consultation process to present recommended solution to public and seek input• Confirm preferred solution• Submit “Notice of Completion” to review agencies and public• Submit recommendation to Council for approval• Select site for facility• Complete pre-engineering and tender documents• Call for tenders on the project• Award contract• Initiate construction