ANNACIS ISLAND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXTENDED THERMOPHILIC ANAEROBIC DIGESTION CLASS A BIOSOLIDS PRODUCTION FIVE-YEAR OPERATION REVIEW & MARKETING OVERVIEW

PART 1 – FIVE YEAR OPERATION REVIEWThe Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is a major regional agency managing wastewater collection and treatment for the City of Vancouver and other adjacent cities and surrounding municipalities. The design for the quality of the biosolids produced at the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant was predicated on USEPA standards for Class A biosolids. At the present time the quality of the biosolids must adhere to the provincial government regulations entitled Organic Matter Recycling Regulations (BC) as stipulated under the Waste Management and Health Act. The process that is used is termed extended thermophilic anaerobic digestion. The characteristics of the process are complete mix thermophilic anaerobic digesters followed by flow through vessels operated in series at thermophilic temperature. The thermophilic anaerobic digesters were commissioned in June 1997 and the flow through vessels were commissioned in June 1999. The design of the digestion and dewatering facilities are reviewed and operation results are presented.PART 2 – MARKETING OVERVIEWThe production of Class A biosolids at the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant has enabled the GVRD to broaden the customer base for biosolids use in the market sector. In British Columbia the higher level of pathogen control provides for less regulatory restrictions, resulting in a more marketable product. The production of a Class A quality biosolids and coupled with recent changes to biosolids management regulations, has allowed the GVRD to target new local markets to build diversity, flexibility and long term sustainability into the regions biosolids recycling programs. Even with a program that satisfies quality assurance requirements and regulations, biosolids reuse marketing is subject to swings in provincial and national government policies and global economic and health issues. This uncertainty creates substantial risk both for the GVRD and the customer in developing long-term marketing agreements.