PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF DEEP WELL INJECTION AS A NEW BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT OPTION

The City of Los Angeles developed a biosolids management program in 1989. Since 1989 the City has successfully beneficially used one hundred percent of the biosolids it produces. Several different management options have been utilized, with land application and composting part of the current program. As local jurisdictions in California banned or restricted biosolids land application, the City began to research and investigate new management options to help diversify the program. In 1999, a request for proposal (RFP) was issued and a proposal was submitted to inject biosolids underground in depleted oils wells. The City did not accept the proposal but decided to have its research section investigate the option.