WHEN YOUR CUP RUNNETH OVER -- EXPERIENCES AT THE CITY OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA NEUSE RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN URGENT SHORT-TERM BIOSOLIDS REMOVAL

During 2002, the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department found itself faced with a critical excess of biosolids materials at its Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant (the plant). This excess, along with other factors, had resulted in an over-application of biosolids to the City's agricultural fields at the plant. This, in turn, resulted in a moratorium against further land application of biosolids on City-owned land located at the plant facility. This paper will share lessons learned in this biosolids crisis situation at the plant and in the development of the short-term biosolids disposal options undertaken. Methods that were expanded or undertaken in 2002 included increased Class A off-site marketing, contract Class A removal and land application, contract Class B removal and land application, production of a dewatered primary sludge cake material for contract removal and blending into a compost product, and contract Class B dewatering and removal.