(OCU) provides water, wastewater, and solid waste ... - Orange County

Orange County
Utilities
2009 & 2010 Biosolids Report

2009 & 2010 Biosolids Report
Introduction
Orange County Utilities (OCU) provides water, wastewater, and solid waste services to the
unincorporated areas of Orange County, Florida. OCU operates the South Water Reclamation Facility
(SWRF), which has a treatment capacity of 43 million gallons per day (MGD); the Eastern Water
Reclamation Facility (EWRF), which has a treatment capacity of 24 MGD; and the Northwest Water
Reclamation Facility (NWRF), which has a treatment capacity of 10.5 MGD. OCU also maintains
1,771 miles of wastewater pipes and 703 wastewater pump stations.
EMS Certification
In 2007, OCU’s Biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS) was the first program in Florida
to receive the National Biosolids Partnership’s (NBP) EMS certification. It is still the only utility in the
state with this recognition. To achieve certification, OCU committed to following the NBP’s Code of
Good Practice, creating avenues for public participation, and completing a third-party audit verifying
that OCU’s Biosolids EMS supports excellence in biosolids management practices. OCU continues to
maintain this certification by operating under the EMS requirements and following the NBP’s Code of
Good Practice.
In March 2009, the EMS program went through an interim audit for the years 2008 and 2009. The
program was elevated to the Platinum status based on this audit’s findings. A copy of this audit
report was made available on the Orange County, Florida website. In addition, internal audits were
conducted in different areas of the program to ensure compliance with the certification requirements.
For more information on biosolids and OCU’s Biosolids EMS, please visit www.ocfl.net/utilities/. For
more information about the NBP, please visit www.biosolids.org.
Biosolids Land Application
In 2009, the three regional water reclamation
facilities produced approximately 13,565 dry tons of
biosolids. In 2010, that number decreased to 12,792
dry tons of biosolids. This reduction was mainly due
to lack of growth in the wastewater service area.
Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials resulting
from wastewater treatment. OCU’s biosolids are land
applied as fertilizer. The land application of biosolids
is an environmentally responsible means of
sustaining the production of Florida’s agricultural
lands for future generations.
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2009 & 2010 Biosolids Report
The SWRF produces a biosolids product which meets the standards of direct agricultural land
application and is transported by T. Wayne Hill Trucking, Inc., to the land application site. The
biosolids produced at the EWRF and the NWRF are hauled to Shelley’s Environmental Systems, a
private processing facility, for additional treatment before being transported to agricultural land
application sites. Contractor T. Wayne Hill Trucking utilizes Deer Park Ranch for land application of
biosolids produced at the SWRF, whereas contractor Shelley’s Environmental Systems utilizes
Deseret Ranch and Cowart Ranch for a major percentage of the biosolids produced at the EWRF and
NWRF.
Biosolids Reuse Options
OCU is committed to continual improvement of all aspects of its Biosolids EMS. Currently, this
program produces biosolids that meet all local, state, and federal compliance guidelines, and 100% of
the biosolids produced at OCU’s facilities are beneficially used to provide soil enrichment.
As regulations change and agricultural lands become less available, OCU continues to evaluate and
pursue technologies that are cost effective, reliable, and will meet the needs of Orange County’s
residents.
Biosolids EMS Accomplishments in 2009 and 2010
• Completed the interim audit and received the Platinum status from the NBP for continued
compliance with the certification requirements.
• Initiated a Biosolids Master Plan study to develop the short- and long-term improvements to
improve the quality of biosolids produced at OCU’s facilities.
• Identified the short-term improvement needs to improve the quality of biosolids and reliability
of biosolids operations.
• Prepared a Biosolids Projection Report for evaluating the Multi-Agency Regional Processing
Facility.
• Prepared a Regional Biosolids Transportation Considerations Report.
• Conducted an Alternative Landfill Cover evaluation using biosolids from the County’s and
the City’s water reclamation facilities and fly ash from the Orlando Utilities Commission’s
power plant.
• Conducted a Biosolids Training class at the EWRF in cooperation with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and professional societies. Several County
staff benefited from this training.
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2009 & 2010 Biosolids Report
Regulatory Issues
In 2010, the FDEP notified OCU that Shelley’s Environmental Systems’ operating permit for its
residual facility would not be renewed. To avoid any interruption in operation and to maintain
compliance with regulations, the OCU management team initiated a temporary contract arrangement
with N-Viro Florida to haul and process biosolids generated at the EWRF and the NWRF. This facility
produces a stabilized product called N-Viro Soil, which is distributed and marketed as fertilizer in
Central Florida. As an alternative, arrangements were also made with the Orange County Landfill for
accepting the biosolids produced at the EWRF and the NWRF. Later, Shelley’s Environmental
Systems received its operating permit with an administrative order.
In accordance with state of Florida and Orange County procurement procedures, OCU solicited for a
contractor for hauling, processing, and land applying the biosolids produced at the EWRF and the
NWRF and again awarded the contract to Shelley’s Environmental Systems. The contract with
Shelley’s Environmental Systems now includes additional conditions to ensure compliance with the
contract provisions.
Management Support
The management team is committed to following the NBP’s Code of Good Practice in managing its
Biosolids EMS. This has allowed OCU to continue to make progress in meeting the Biosolids EMS
goals and implementing best management practices. Several projects, including a biosolids quality
enhancement project at the EWRF, a biogas energy recovery project at the SWRF, and a new master
plan to address short-term and long-term needs, were recently initiated. The management team
supports proactive maintenance strategies for an efficient and effective Biosolids EMS.
2011 Goals
• Maintain 100% beneficial reuse.
• Continue to maintain compliance with all applicable regulatory and certification requirements.
• Improve the quality of biosolids by installing centrifuge dewatering systems at the EWRF.
• Increase skill levels of operators with regard to biosolids operations.
• Complete interim audits in accordance with the NBP’s requirements.
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2009 & 2010 Biosolids Report
We value your feedback! Orange County Utilities maintains a list of parties that are interested in our
Biosolids EMS. If you would like to be added to our interested parties list or if you would like more
information about our Biosolids EMS, please contact the Orange County Utilities Water Reclamation
Division at 407-254-9680, via e-mail at Water.Reclamation@ocfl.net, or write to us at:
Orange County Utilities
Water Reclamation Division
9150 Curry Ford Road
3 rd Floor
Orlando, Florida 32825
Para más información, por favor llame al Departamento de Servicios Públicos del Condado de Orange y pida hablar con un representante en español.
El número de teléfono es 407-254-9680.
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