Identifying Utility-Wide, Integrated, and Sustainable Long-Term Solids Management Solutions for the Town of Cary

The Town of Cary, North Carolina, has a solids management program that achieves Class A Exceptional Quality products through thermal drying of biosolids at one of its Water Reclamation Facilities (WRFs) and composting of water treatment plant residuals and yard wastes at a third-party regional composting facility. The Town is constructing a second thermal drying system at a new WRF which will greatly increase utility-wide management options. This paper presents findings from the Town's Residuals and Biosolids Master Plan Project, which considered long-term utility-wide solutions that maximize efficiencies gained from having multiple Class A solids handling options. Results from the study illustrated that most of the existing solids handling facilities have sufficient capacity to accommodate future projections. The study identified targeted improvements that are needed at individual facilities to increase system flexibility and support contingency operations in the case of an unexpected or prolonged shutdown of one of the systems.