The Changing Landscape of Biosolids Management In North Carolina – The 21st Century's First Decade and Predictions for the Next One

The State of North Carolina, with its rich diversity, inviting climate, growing population, and substantial natural resources to protect, has been a trend setter for water-resources and environmental regulations in the Southeastern U.S. for many years. An often overlooked part of that trend is the ever increasing volume of water and wastewater residuals (biosolids) that are produced, in addition to the other organic by-products of North Carolina's economic activity such as food processing, forestry, farming, and livestock operations.Due to the sensitivity of North Carolina’s natural resources prompting increasing levels of wastewater treatment, plus resurging industry coupled with a growing population, the state produces a large volume of biosolids and other residuals from wastewater treatment processes. A growing proportion of biosolids produced in the state are treated to Class A, “Exceptional Quality” levels under the federal regulations governing biosolids use and disposal (USEPA, 1993), making the products suitable for distribution and marketing.Markets are generally healthy for biosolids products, such as alkaline-stabilized biosolids, compost, and heat-dried pellets, but they continue to fluctuate based on seasonal factors and perceptions of product usefulness and quality. And in light of the increasing costs of energy, biosolids and related organic by-products are being reconsidered as carbon-rich energy sources, in addition to their more traditional uses as sources of nutrients and carbon for the soil.The paper and presentation will review North Carolina's trends in biosolids management over the last decade and touch on the emerging trends of energy and resource recovery, which are currently developing in many of the state's metropolitan areas.Data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC-DENR), and North Carolina State University (NCSU), among other information sources, are summarized to reinforce the case that biosolids management will continue to grow in importance for protecting the state's natural resources. The case is made that biosolids and their related organic products will become greater economic drivers in the next decade as traditional, fossil sources of fuels and fertilizers continue to increase in cost.