A DIVERSE BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR OXNARD, CA

A biosolids management program was initiated in late 1993. This program yielded significant cost savings to the City of Oxnard, CA when compared to the landfill disposal practice in place prior to program implementation in November 1995 and helped the City meet the landfill reduction goals mandated by California Assembly Bill 939. Under this program land application of Class “B” biosolids on a City owned land application site in Kern County, CA was successfully utilized as a primary biosolids management strategy. A Biosolids Land Application Ordinance adopted by Kern County in late 1999 required that effective January 1, 2003 the “Exceptional Quality” biosolids requirements be met.Based on a comprehensive analysis of different biosolids management alternatives, the City has implemented short- and long-term biosolids management strategies that allowed continuation of beneficial biosolids reuse in Kern County by producing “Exceptional Quality” biosolids. Of the alternatives analyzed, chemical stabilization, with continuous monitoring to demonstrate compliance with the Kern County requirements, was selected as a short-term solution, with thermal pasteurization chosen for potential implementation to meet the long-term “Exceptional Quality” biosolids requirements.