NBP News & Announcements
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NBP Carbon Footprint Implications from Biosolids Management Practices Webcast Power Point Slides Available
Feb. 1, 2010 - The Power Point presentations (PDF) from the January 27, 2010 NBP free webcast on “Carbon Footprint Implications from Biosolids Management Practices” are available for downloading. Nearly 1,000 viewers at approximately 300 sites participated in NBP’s inaugural free technical webcast. Future free webcasts will be announced in the NBP e-newsletter.
Carbon Footprint Implications from Biosolids Management Practices NBP Webcast Power Point Slides (PDF) 1-27-10
NBP Free Webcast: Carbon Footprint Implications from Biosolids Management Practices
Jan. 7, 2010 - The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) will be hosting a free webcast on Wednesday, January 27 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm EST. The theme of webcast is “Carbon Footprint Implications from Biosolids Management Practices.” This webcast will bring together wastewater utilities and regulators who will explore the regulatory environment, implications of land application of biosolids for reducing carbon footprint and costs, green aspects of biosolids processing and use, and a case study of how a utility’s biosolids program got green. Participants will:
- Learn how land application affects a utility’s carbon footprint;
- Understand how bioenergy options were assessed and evaluated to aid in decision-making
- Identify critical regulatory and other factors
Join NBP for the first of four free quarterly webcasts based on critical biosolids technical topics. Online Registration
How the NBP EMS Program Benefited the City of Santa Rosa, CA
Dec. 4, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - On July 29, 2009, the City of Santa Rosa Public Utilities, CA became one of only five certified agencies in California and 25th organization in the nation to be certified by the NBP for protecting the environment by providing high quality biosolids treatment and beneficial reuse. On November 19, 2009, Santa Rosa officially celebrated the achievement with its Board of Utilities, members of the community, and City Staff. The NBP EMS process has allowed the City to develop a comprehensive approach for managing biosolids. Read more…
Federal Stimulus Money to Improve Austin, TX Sewage Facility
Nov. 24, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter -Texas Water Development Board announced on November 19 that Austin Water Utility will get $31.8 million in federal stimulus money for green infrastructure improvements at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. Hornsby, a popular birding spot, receives and treats all biosolids produced by Austin’s wastewater treatment plants. Dillo Dirt, a soil fertilizer, is produced at the facility, by composting curbside yard trimming collections and digested biosolids. Read more…
NBP E-Newsletter -Texas Water Development Board announced on November 19 that Austin Water Utility will get $31.8 million in federal stimulus money for green infrastructure improvements at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. Hornsby, a popular birding spot, receives and treats all biosolids produced by Austin’s wastewater treatment plants. Dillo Dirt, a soil fertilizer, is produced at the facility, by composting curbside yard trimming collections and digested biosolids.
How the NBP EMS Program Benefited the City of Santa Rosa, CA
Dec. 4, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - On July 29, 2009, the City of Santa Rosa Public Utilities, CA became one of only five certified agencies in California and 25th organization in the nation to be certified by the NBP for protecting the environment by providing high quality biosolids treatment and beneficial reuse. On November 19, 2009, Santa Rosa officially celebrated the achievement with its Board of Utilities, members of the community, and City Staff. The NBP EMS process has allowed the City to develop a comprehensive approach for managing biosolids. Read more…
Federal Stimulus Money to Improve Austin, TX Sewage Facility
Nov. 24, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter -Texas Water Development Board announced on November 19 that Austin Water Utility will get $31.8 million in federal stimulus money for green infrastructure improvements at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. Hornsby, a popular birding spot, receives and treats all biosolids produced by Austin’s wastewater treatment plants. Dillo Dirt, a soil fertilizer, is produced at the facility, by composting curbside yard trimming collections and digested biosolids. Read more…
WEF Webcast - Microconstituents in Biosolids: Presence, Gaps, and a Glimpse into the Future
Nov. 23, 2009 - WEF will hold a December 16 Webcast from 2:00 – 3:30 pm EST - Microconstituents in Biosolids: Presence, Gaps, and a Glimpse into the Future. This webcast will offer a snapshot of what is currently known about the presence of microconstituents in biosolids, what the key information gaps are in determining what detection really means, and what needs to be considered regarding biosolids when planning for a sustainable future. The latter goal will be achieved through a thought-provoking presentation on biosolids sustainable practices. Presentations will also include a discussion of the results of the U.S. EPA Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS) Report. Additionally, related portions from a State of the Science Report being developed by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) will be presented, explaining what is known regarding potential effects associated with microconstituents in biosolids, and what gaps in key information need to be filled to perform hazard assessments. Registration Form; Online Registration Registration deadline is December 14, 2009.
WEF Water Blog Biosolids Recycling Works for DC Water and Sewer Authority
Nov. 16, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - A water blog prepared by Chris Peot, Biosolids Manager, District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority was posted on the WEF web page on November 16 and will appear for two weeks. The water blog topic - Biosolids Recycling Works for Us - describes DC WASA’s land application program and discusses some of the misperceptions about the practice and inaccuracies that have appeared in the media. DC WASA has been an NBP EMS certified agency since September 2004. More…
City of Lawrence, KS Successfully Completes NBP EMS Reverification Audit
Nov. 16, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The City of Lawrence, KS Department of Utilities completed its reverification audit of its NBP environmental management system (EMS) certification on October 31, 2009 by KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc. The Lawrence, KS biosolids EMS has been certified since October 2005 and achieved platinum level status since 2006. Undergoing regular reverification audit are part of an agency's requirement to maintain NBP certification. Read More…
WEF Residuals and Biosolids Committee Meeting Minutes from WEFTEC.09 in Orlando, FL
Nov. 10, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The October 14, 2009 meeting minutes and materials from the WEF Residuals & Biosolids Committee meeting that was held October 14 in Orlando, FL are available for viewing. The meeting materials include the agenda, meeting minutes, Power Point slides, and attendance list. Read More…
Resource Management, Inc. Residuals Management Facility in New Hampton, NH Receives NBP EMS Certification
Nov. 5, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The National Biosolids Partnership is pleased to recognize the Resource Management, Inc. Residuals Management Facility in New Hampton, NH as the 26th organization in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership's environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. Resource Management, Inc. is one of 100 organizations currently participating in the NBP EMS program. Read more…
Central Davis, UT Sewer District and Louisville and Jefferson County, KY MSD Achieve NBP EMS Platinum Level Certification
Oct. 19, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) is pleased to announce that two new wastewater agencies have achieved the Platinum Level certification distinction for their biosolids environmental management system (EMS) - Central Davis Sewer District in Kaysville, UT and Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District in Louisville, KY. Read more…
Invitation to Firms with Emerging Technologies to Include in WEF Solids Design Manual
July 17, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The WEF Solids Processing Design and Management Manual is a massive undertaking that is intended to bring together information on the realm of technologies that are used in solids processing, including the so-called emerging and innovative technologies. The information in hand is distributed among the chapters of the Manual, now undergoing the first of three peer reviews. Read more…
WEF RBC 2009 Specialty Conference Meeting Minutes and Bioenergy Technology Workshop Materials
June 25, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - Meeting minutes from the WEF 2009 Residuals and Biosolids Specialty Conference and PDF files from the Bioenergy Workshop held during May 3-6, 2009 in Portland, OR are available for viewing. The files are available at WEF Biosolids Access Water Knowledge channel web page. Read more…
Invitation to Firms with Emerging Technologies to Include in WEF Solids Design Manual
July 17, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - The WEF Solids Processing Design and Management Manual is a massive undertaking that is intended to bring together information on the realm of technologies that are used in solids processing, including the so-called emerging and innovative technologies. The information in hand is distributed among the chapters of the Manual, now undergoing the first of three peer reviews. The Team managing the preparation of the Manual with its 27 chapters recognizes that experience with emerging and innovative technologies is changing rapidly, especially with the accelerating interest in energy recovery, waste solids minimization technologies, and characterization of greenhouse gas emissions from solids processing trains. Read more…
WEF RBC 2009 Specialty Conference Meeting Minutes and Bioenergy Technology Workshop Materials
June 25, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - Meeting minutes from the WEF 2009 Residuals and Biosolids Specialty Conference and PDF files from the Bioenergy Workshop held during May 3-6, 2009 in Portland, OR are available for viewing. The files are available at WEF Biosolids Access Water Knowledge channel web page. Read more…
Alexandria, VA Sanitation Authority Achieves NBP Platinum Level EMS Status
June 16, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter - Alexandria Sanitation Authority in Alexandria, VA achieved the National Biosolids Partnership’s Platinum Level status of its environmental management system (EMS) program on May 28, 2009. Alexandria Sanitation Authority is the 15th NBP EMS agency to achieve this status. Read more…
Dalton, GA Utilities Hasn't Seen PFOA Test Results, Confident Water OK
June 11, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter. Despite media reports, officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Dalton Utilities say they haven’t seen the results of any tests showing the industrial chemical Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in local water. Georgia Public Broadcasting reported last week that the EPA had found PFOA in the drinking water supplies for both Dalton and Rome. Citing internal EPA documents, the broadcaster reported preliminary results showed PFOA in the water at one part per billion. The EPA considers that level acceptable, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting. But the states of Minnesota and New Jersey have set stricter standards. The tests were reportedly conducted in March. Read more…
Alabama Public Meeting Will Hear Perfluorochemical Test Results
June 4, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter. High levels of toxic perfluorochemicals found in agricultural soils near Decatur have led federal government scientists to investigate whether the chemicals have entered the human food chain and contaminated meat and milk. They already have been found in several private drinking water wells. The chemicals entered the soil as biosolids from the Decatur Utilities wastewater treatment plant that were applied as fertilizer on about 5,000 acres of privately owned agricultural fields in three counties near Decatur.Testing is still ongoing, but to date, the chemicals have been found in six local drinking water wells but not in public water supply systems. Read more…
WERF Announces $500,000 for New Water Quality Research
May 29, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter -The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) announced on May 19 that it is seeking pre-proposals for its 2009 Unsolicited Research Program. WERF will offer up to $500,000 (in total) for new or ongoing research projects that preserve our water resources and transform how wastewater and stormwater facilities protect public health. WERF welcomes pre-proposals for research in any relevant wastewater, stormwater, or water quality area. Research addressing climate change, decentralized systems, water reuse, trace organics, biosolids, and security and disaster response is also encouraged. Pre-proposals are due in WERF’s offices by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Read more...
WEF 2010 Residuals & Biosolids Specialty Conference Call for Abstracts
May 20, 2009 – NBP E-Newsletter -The Water Environment Federation’s Residuals and Biosolids Committee in cooperation with the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, and the International Water Association is sponsoring a specialty conference on residuals and biosolids management on May 23-26, 2010 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center in Savannah, GA. This conference is the 24th annual WEF specialty conference on this subject and the theme of the conference is Leveraging Biosolids in the Energy-Climate Era. Read more…
Association of Boards of Certification Introduces Certification Proficiency Program for Biosolids Land Appliers
May 12, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - A new biosolids land application (BLA) certification program developed by the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) was highlighted at the 2009 WEF Residuals and Biosolids Specialty Conference last week in Portland, OR. The certification helps ensure protection of public health and the environment through certification and demonstrates professionalism and competency of industry professionals. In order to be certified by ABC, a land applier must meet specific education, experience, and examination requirements for the level of which they are applying. Two levels of ABC certification are available:
Class I – Covers knowledge and skills required for field operators
Class II – Focuses on knowledge and skills required for managers. Read more…
Massachusetts Water Reclamation Authority Turns Solid Waste into Lawn Fertilizer
April 28, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter -Yes, it’s made from human waste but it’s free. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) produces fertilizer made from treated solid waste and offers it at no charge to communities including Clinton, Framingham, Lancaster, Southboro and Westboro served by the authority. The fertilizer, called Bay State Fertilizer, is used by cities and towns on municipal grounds such as parks, golf courses, median strips and ball fields, and is becoming an increasingly popular way of saving money, especially in the coming fiscal year with its cash-strapped state budget. Read more...
WEF 2009 Specialty Conference- Residuals and Biosolids Committee Meeting Agendas, Minutes, Updates and Attachments
April 16, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - The upcoming WEF 2009 Residuals & Biosolids Specialty Conference in Portland, OR will include meetings of the Residuals & Biosolids Committee (RBC) and its five subcommittees. (Outreach & Education, Specialty Conference, Bioenergy Technology, Agricultural & Industrial Byproducts, and Research and Development). The Residuals & Biosolids Specialty Conference will be held at the Portland Convention Center from May 3-6, 2009. Read more...
Massachusetts Water Reclamation Authority Turns Solid Waste into Lawn Fertilizer
April 28, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter -Yes, it’s made from human waste but it’s free. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) produces fertilizer made from treated solid waste and offers it at no charge to communities including Clinton, Framingham, Lancaster, Southboro and Westboro served by the authority. The fertilizer, called Bay State Fertilizer, is used by cities and towns on municipal grounds such as parks, golf courses, median strips and ball fields, and is becoming an increasingly popular way of saving money, especially in the coming fiscal year with its cash-strapped state budget. Read more...
Orange County Utilities, FL Achieves NBP Platinum Level EMS Status
March 31, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - Orange County Utilities in Orlando, FL achieved the National Biosolids Partnership’s Platinum Level status of its environmental management system (EMS) program on March25, 2009. Orange County Utilities, FL is the 17th NBP EMS agency to achieve this status. Read more...
Metropolitan Water Reclamation of Greater Chicago Facing $42 Million Recycling Dilemma
March 25, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - Construction is finished on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's new biosolids processing plant, which converts sewage-treatment byproducts into nutrient-rich pellets that can be used as fertilizer. But officials are far from celebrating. Read more…
March 19, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - Researchers over the past several years have been assessing the fate of estrogenic compounds in the liquid phase of wastewater treatment. WERF wanted to look to the solids treatment phase, to see if it acts as a sink for these compounds. As we increase usage of biosolids in landscaping, land reclamation, and agriculture, it is important that we improve our understanding of the fate of these compounds during solids treatment. In short, do biosolids have the potential to transport estrogenic compounds into the environment? The results of research project Fate of Estrogenic Compounds during Municipal Sludge Stabilization and Dewatering (no. 04HHE6) will be available on the WERF website in April, but the research team is able to share some of their findings now. View more details....
March 19, 2009 - NBP E-Newsletter - WERF is expanding its research program on trace organics in biosolids this year. The organization is accelerating research efforts following the release of EPA's Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey, which indicates that a number of pharmaceuticals, steroids, and flame retardants are found in a high percentage of biosolids. WERF research will expeditiously determine whether the presence of these compounds in biosolids presents a problem. Several WERF subscribers are interested in forming a targeted collaborative research initiative to answer questions about the occurrence, fate, transport, and potential exposure to trace organics in biosolids. To facilitate subscriber discussions about useful research, WERF is considering several options, including meeting with interested subscribers at the upcoming WEF Biosolids Conference in Portland, OR and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies' (NACWA) upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C. Both meetings are during the first week of May.
March 11, 2009 - NBP e-newsletter - At stake is more than $2 million in legal fees and Kern voters’ control over how their land is used. Lawyers for Kern County and Los Angeles offered oral arguments in the appeal of a U.S. District Court decision that overturned Kern County’s ban on the land application of the waste — called biosolids by some, sludge by others — on March 2. Justices with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals were presented two critical questions: Does the ban illegally block interstate commerce? Does it illegally foil the state of California’s efforts to promote recycling through integrated waste law? If they answer “no” to both those questions, Kern wins and Measure E is reborn. A “yes” on either question means Measure E remains dead and Kern must consider further appeals. Read more details...
March 11, 2009 - The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is seeking subscriber help with its risk communications research. The research, expected to begin in March, will provide WERF subscribers with biosolids pathogen risk assessment and strategic risk communications tools. It will help local officials and regulators determine the effectiveness of biosolids regulations and make needed enhancements. Your assistance will not only benefit our research, it will also give you first-hand knowledge of our communication tools under development. WERF is asking volunteers to: provide examples of any public information you use to inform your community about biosolids; and participate in research in which we interview community stakeholders – including local officials, regulators and the general public -- concerning their involvement and views on biosolids. WERF will work closely with your staff on this specific research. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact WERF Program Director Alan Hais at: ahais@werf.org as soon as possible. WERF also has established a Biosolids Access Knowledge web page. View the WERF Biosolids resources.
The National Biosolids Partnership is pleased to recognize the City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works as the 23rd wastewater agency in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership's environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. Chattanooga is one of 100 wastewater agencies currently participating in the NBP EMS program, and it is the first one from Tennessee. Chattanooga’s achievement recognizes that the agency has been independently verified as having an effective biosolids EMS. Chattanooga is tentatively planning an EMS celebration in mid-April 2009. View the City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works audit report (PDF).
March 3, 2009 - The National Biosolids Partnership announced that the New England Organics – Hawk Ridge Composting Facility in Portland, ME is the 24th wastewater agency in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership's environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. New England Organics is one of 100 organizations currently participating in the NBP EMS program, and it is the first one from Maine. This achievement recognizes that the agency has been independently verified as having an effective biosolids EMS. The agency is tentatively planning an EMS celebration sometime in late April 2009. View the New England Organics Hawk Ridge Composting Facility audit report (PDF).