A Year-Three Update on DC Water's Bloom Sales Program Methods and Results

Management of biosolids costs DC Water a substantial amount of money every year. Reduction of this cost can be achieved by sale of biosolids to interested buyers. DC Water has created a program to sell Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids under the brand name Bloom. From September 2016 to May 2020, the program has grown, with modifications made to practices as staff gained experience. Total Bloom sold through May 2020 is 8.6*107 kg (95,000 tons) with net value of over $3,000,000, including nearly $1,000,000 to date in FY20 alone – over one-third of total Blue Plains production. Farms are the largest sales category and most Bloom is sold as unaltered cake (“Fresh Bloom”). Challenges to future growth include a seasonal mismatch between supply and demand, but DC Water is optimistic that all biosolids will be sold rather than managed in the relatively near future.