Marketing Bloom®, a Class A Exceptional Quality Biosolids-Based Soil Amendment, in the Greater Washington, D.C. Area

DC Water produces biosolids at Blue Plains which must be managed. Traditional contracted land application is costly. Recent upgrades to the solids treatment process have resulted in the production of Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids with a wide variety of commercial applications. DC Water sells the product, known as Bloom, to several different types of customers throughout the region. The marketing program has developed since its creation in 2017 and succeeded in selling over 1.4*107 kg (15,000 tons) of Bloom during that time, saving DC Water over $480,000 net of expenses. Most sales in 2017 were to three large customers. The lessons learned during the first year have informed plans for future sales growth, and DC Water is optimistic that in the long run, all of its biosolids will be sold rather than land applied.