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Wastewater Authority: Biosolids A Concern

IRONWOOD - Disposal of Biosolids has been foremost on the minds of the local Wastewater Board and Wastewater Authority. The matter was discussed in this week’s meeting of the Authority/ Board. Currently the Biosolids are delivered to and spread out on local farms. The problem is that there is an ever decreasing number of working farms within the area where the delivery of waste material is cost productive. The members of the authority listened to plant manager Mark Bowman, describe the worsening situation. If the two-county authority had a better, more efficient method for composting the biosolids, more avenues of distribution would become available. Homeowner’s would be able to purchase and use the compost. Production and distribution to retail and wholesale outlets be feasible. The problem had previously discussed in a meeting with Randy Scott, C2AE Engineering, Inc. the purpose of that meeting was to review the GIWA Master Plan with the intent of formulating a rough budget as a basis for a future Application. (Grants, and Loans) IN order to get to the budget it will be necessary to review the costs of the head works improvements and other items under the recommended capital improvements priorities. These items lead to the discussion of Biosolids and the different approaches that have been put forward such as:  Land disposal, Delivery to Traxysis at White Pine, Land Filling, Class A Biosolids and Biomass Energy. It appears that this is a problem that is not going away, and that the Authority would like to find a solution that could be included in the Master Plan and the financing of that plan.