Life After Landfills: A Statewide View of Changing Biosolids Management in Georgia

Introduction and Background Historically in Georgia, a large proportion of biosolids produced in the state has been disposed of in landfills. This proportion has grown over the last several decades because of the implementation of regulatory changes such as the sanitary sewage sludge incineration rules and landfilling costs have remained relatively flat compared to disposal and beneficial use alternatives. In recent years, landfill disposal of biosolids in Georgia has become much more challenging with landfills either significantly increasing tipping fees or not accepting biosolids. These challenges have been driven by increased regulatory focus on landfill disposal of biosolids following several slope failures that occurred in Georgia, including one at a major landfill in the metro Atlanta region in 2018. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has approved additional legislation (via changes to Georgia's Solid Waste Management Rule 391-3-4) that requires any landfill accepting more than 5 percent high moisture content waste (HMCW) to have a HMCW management plan in place to document mitigation measures for receiving this material. HMCW is classified as anything with a moisture content of greater than 40 percent by weight (i.e., less than 60 percent dry solids). Typical biosolids dewatering installations generate a product with a dry solids content between 15 percent and 25 percent, which is classified as HMCW. While facing challenges with respect to landfill disposal, there are also potential opportunities to make use of biosolids as a resource. Biosolids contain valuable nutrients and organics, presenting potential opportunities for beneficial use as fertilizers, soil amendments, or for energy recovery. Project Details and Outcomes Acknowledging biosolids challenges faced by Georgia wastewater utilities, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) commissioned Black & Veatch to perform a study to evaluate the challenges and opportunities related to biosolids management in the state and provide recommendations regarding strategies and funding for biosolids management going forward. A summary of the study scope and objectives is provided in Table 1. This presentation will highlight the key project outcomes and opportunities to aid utilities in the State as they pivot towards diversifying biosolids management practices. Key project outcomes that will be presented are listed below. - Results of a statewide survey that captured 80% of the estimated wastewater flow in 2019 and informed the National Biosolids Data Project for Georgia. Survey respondents provided information regarding the costs of biosolids management and end use, interest in partnering with other organizations for regional solutions, and feedback regarding funding mechanisms. See Figures 1 and 2 for more detail. - A gap analysis of current and future biosolids production estimates compared to available landfill capacity to accept high moisture content waste and available outlets for beneficial reuse, e.g., agricultural land area suitable for biosolids land application. See Figure 3. - Opportunities and recommendations to assist utilities with alternative biosolids management strategies. This includes co-processing with municipal solid waste, modifications to GEFA funding initiatives and application criteria, and regional management strategies to capitalize on economies of scale. See Figure 4 listing opportunities and barriers to regionalization. The study produced a regionalization roadmap to guide utilities through potential avenues to regional solutions. Conclusion Although this study is specific to the State of Georgia, utilities across the U.S. may benefit from this presentation and subsequent conversations about biosolids management challenges like increased landfill and tipping fees, organics co-processing, or land application bans due to PFAS concerns. GEFA hopes to build upon the study's findings through programs and projects that are awarded funding soon. The 2022 Call for Projects opened on September 1, 2021.