Centralized Solids Management – Possibility of Better Economics with Reduced Risks

There are many examples of centralized or regional solids processing systems for municipal wastewater treatment in North America and overseas. These have been implemented in response to basic economic drivers as well as many other factors that play into these decisions. Some WWTP sites are ill-suited for solids processing functions due to inadequate space, difficult access, neighborhood problems, or aesthetic considerations. Centralizing can sometimes create a major economy of scale that provides significant economic benefits for the owner. Solids are usually transferred to other sites either via pipelines and sewers, or trucked, either as a slurry in a tanker truck, or as cake material in dump trucks or similar bulk-material trailers. Occasionally, agencies use other modes of transport including boats, barges, or rail. Understanding the reasons and drivers for centralized solids processing is an important aspect of learning why and how these systems have been implemented in a wide variety of situations.