BENEFITS OF A PROGRESSIVE CENTRALIZED BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

By progressively implementing a centralized management plan for biosolids, JEA has reduced the quantity of biosolids processed, potentially lessened permit restrictions, reused existing infrastructure, and explored a new technology all while producing a useful product and renewable energy source that will benefit the community and the environment. JEA, the largest community-owned utility in Florida and the eighth largest in the United States, operates and manages the water, sewer, and electric system for the City of Jacksonville and parts of adjacent counties. One of JEA's commitments is to improve the quality of life in the communities served by the utility. That commitment led to the decision to eliminate incineration as the method of wastewater sludge disposal and implement a plan for centralized biosolids management. This plan replaced the incinerators with a biogas thermal drying system that has reduced landfill dependency. The product produced is being used as a soil amendment to reduce agricultural dependence on manufactured fertilizers. Revenue is being received from a local fertilizer blender for the biosolids product.