Status Report: Blue Plains Biosolids Management Plan Report to the Blue Plains Regional Committee by Karl Berger Dec. 20, 2010

FYI only at this point Status of digester project Virginia regulatory status* Maryland regulatory status* P nutrient management issues Biosolids research Biosolids composting initiative Presentation Outline 2BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010 * Potential BPRC comment in future

DC Water Digester Project Designing solids digesters to convert organic matter into methane Preceded by thermal hydrolysis pre-digestion plant 13 MW (net 10 MW) clean, green, renewable energy Class A (EPA standard) product in 2014 Diversification of end use land application blended soil product Generate carbon credits 3BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Dewatering Future Biosolids Management Plan Lime Store & Load out Class B DAFTs Mixer RR Pre- Dewatering Final Dewatering Recycle Processing R Load out Thermal Hydrolysis Steam Biogas Biogas Treatment and CHP Emissions Enclosed Flares Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion Class A Power RR Gravity Thickeners Blend Tanks 4BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Digester Implementation – Anticipated Outcomes Reduce the quantity of biosolids Reduce the quantity of biosolids Reduce the use of lime-stabilization Reduce the use of lime-stabilization Reduce cost of Biosolids Management Reduce cost of Biosolids Management Expand beneficial uses, reduce haul distances Expand beneficial uses, reduce haul distances Produce digester gas for heat & power (13 MW power, 20 MW in 2020) Produce digester gas for heat & power (13 MW power, 20 MW in 2020) Generate carbon credits (75,000 metric tons) Generate carbon credits (75,000 metric tons) Reduce program risks Reduce program risks 5BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Digester Construction - Tentative Project Schedule Three DB contracts Site preparation (begins early 2011) Main Process Train (begins early 2012) Combined Heat and Power (begins late 2012) Project start-up (late 2014) Full-scale operation (2015) Anticipated 1 st in the nation Largest in the world 6BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Digester Implementation Schedule Annual production, in thousands of tons/year 7BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Virginia Regulatory Status Water Control Board approved staff draft of regulations for public comment in December 2009 Acceptable compromises on signage, storage, nutrient management and buffers On hold since then pending administrative review Expected to be released for 60-day public comment sometime in 2011 (on Feb. 28) Some concern that Board will want to make changes Opponents, DCR likely to request changes Technical Advisory Committee (Karl Berger is BPRC rep) will provide input on any changes 8BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Maryland Regulatory Status MDE expected to issue revised regs for public comment sometime in 2011 Floated fee increase proposals with small group Potential for major restrictions through nutrient management requirements MDE wants to triple revenue for program oversight (from current $600,000 to $1.9 million/year) Indirect impact on Blue Plains; direct impact on WSSC plants 9BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

MDE’s Generator Fee Proposal ApplicationCurrent fee (per wet ton) Proposed fee (per wet ton) Out-of-state transport$0.50$2.50 Between plant transport $0.30 – 40$2.50 Landfilling, incineration, etc. $0.95$2.50 Land application (in- state) $1.00$2.50 Land application (out- of-state $2.00$ BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Nutrient Management Issues Renewed focus on P because of Bay TMDL MD WIP proposes revision to current P index system to achieve greater reductions Winter application restrictions Bill in 2010 MD legislature proposed no winter application of organics DCR has proposed further restrictions on biosolids application to sensitive soils MDA implemented rule disallowing organic inputs to soybeans 11BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

Ongoing Research Projects Under BPRC Biostimulant/greenhouse gas study Wye surface application Task Order projects on land base analysis DC-WASA funded Triclosan, triclorocarbon Perfluorates PBDEs Adenovirus Odor modeling and prevention Ag fuel crop study WSSC funded Long-term nitrogen fate /endocrine disruptors (tentative) 12BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

BPRC Sponsored Research Projects Previous projects include: forest nutrient dynamics*, phosphorus fate and transport* and heavy metals* 13BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010

BPRC Biosolids Research Budget Summary 14BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010 FY 2012 budget - ? Maintain level of effort

Biosolids Composting Initiative McGill composting facility processes about 1,100 wet tons/month of Blue Plains biosolids Backhaul option available to reduce hauling costs To date used compost for landscaping at plant Staff working with D.C. Urban Forestry Admin. to use compost in tree planting and soil rehabilitation projects 15BPRC meeting of Dec. 20, 2010