THE SMALL COMMUNITIES OF MORRO BAY - CAYUCOS, CALIFORNIA, BIOSOLIDS REUSE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM, FULLY CONTAINED WITHIN THEIR CITY LIMITS TO DEMONSTRATE PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS

Most counties in California have severely restricted the import of Class B biosolids and Morro Bay – Cayucos Sanitary District (MBCSD) see the day when their biosolids will have to be treated to Class A, Exceptional Quality (EQ) no mater where the biosolids is further treated. The question has been; “Why not take care of our biosolids locally?” Over the past three years, staff at MBCSD has been developing a beneficial reuse program for the biosolids generated at MBCSD, through a program of composting the biosolids. The goal of the composting program has been to develop and implement a cost effective technique for producing Exceptional Quality (EQ) compost that meets the metals standards, Class A pathogen reduction standards, and vector attraction reduction standards contained in 40CFR Part 503.13 (Table 3), 40 CFR Part 503.32, and 40 CFR Part 503.33, respectively. Effective July 1, 2004 the composting operation at MBCSD has been permitted with the California Integrated Waste Management Board Permitting and Enforcement Division (CIWMB). Many local residents have availed themselves of the compost since the demonstration program and have expressed pleasure with the product provided. MBCSD staff is excited about the future potential of this project in developing a beneficial reuse program for the biosolids generated at MBCSD.