Planning for and Developing a Large-scale Soil Blending Program Using CAMBI Biosolids

DC Water & Sewer Authority (DC Water) is now operating the first CAMBI thermal hydrolysis biosolids treatment facility in the US. The facility is producing a Class A, thermophilically treated biosolids cake with unique physical properties. The product is easier to handle and blend, than many other biosolids cakes, and it is low in odor. At full capacity, the DC facility will generate 500 wet tons per day of CAMBI treated biosolids. The long-term (10 year) goal of DC Water is to take its current biosolids distribution program, where it pays all associated costs for distribution and application, and turn it into a program which is 'cost neutral'. Product development research is considered to be key to the establishment of strong and long-term markets for BLOOM. BLOOM is the trademarked name of the DC Water CAMBI treated biosolids product. As such, various steps were taken to evaluate the use of the unblended product, "straight off the dewatering conveyor" as a soil amendment and "soil blend" component. Testing has been completed and a variety of acceptable soil blends have been developed. Further, current research pertaining to the use of BLOOM as a soil amendment, in sandy and clay-based soils is underway. The distribution and marketing efforts have begun, and although there is already excellent interest in the product for use in soil blending and resale, DC Water expects to work extensively with only a handful of customers in 2016 to trial the unblended BLOOM product 'in the field'.