Biosolids

Biosolids Beneficial Use Program

 

Committed to Responsible and Economical Use of Our Natural Resources

Aerial view

*Organic material is derived from a living organism. Biosolids are not certified organic under the USDA’s National Organic Standards.

Before the Biosolids Beneficial Use Program was introduced at the Laguna Treatment Plant in 1985, all the solids that passed through the plant went to the Sonoma County landfill. By 1997, only a third of the biosolids material was sent to landfill. The remaining two-thirds were used in land application, as fertilizer or produced into organically-based compost*. Over the past 11 years, with stepped up land application and composting programs, an average of only four percent of the biosolids generated at Santa Rosa's Regional Water Reuse Plant reach the landfill, where it is used as alternative daily cover.

Biosolids Beneficial Use Options

 

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Windrows and loader
Spreading
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Screener
Soil Sample5

Land Application


In land application, approximately 20,000 wet tons of highly treated biosolids are trucked to local farms each year where it is used as fertilizer or soil amendment on fodder crops (i.e., animal feed and fiber crops). Before Class B biosolids are disked into the ground, sampling of soil is conducted to assure the pH level is 6.5 or above as set forth by the Sonoma County Department of Environmental Health, to ensure that biosolids are spread according to the agronomic rate set by Title 40 CFR Part 503. Land application is the most economical use of biosolids. It increases crop yields for the farmers and reduces disposal costs for the City. Best of all, it conserves landfill space.  

Lystek

In 2016 the City of Santa Rosa started working with Lystek International, Inc. to process some of the biosolids produced at Santa Rosa’s Water Reuse Plant. Biosolids are sent to the Lystek Organic Material Recovery Center at the Fairfield Suisun Sewer District.


LystekLystek International Inc. is a leading provider of Thermal Hydrolysis solutions for the sustainable management of biosolids and organics.  The multi-use, award-winning Lystek system reduces costs, volumes and GHG's by converting municipal wastewater treatment facilities into resource recovery centers.  This is achieved by transforming organic waste streams into value-added products and services, such as the patented LysteMize® process for optimizing digester performance, reducing volumes and increasing biogas production; LysteGro®, a high value, nutrient-rich, Class A EQ biofertilizer and LysteCarb®, an alternative source of carbon for BNR systems.  See more information here. 

Energy Savings


A byproduct of treating and processing biosolids is methane gas. At the City's Laguna Treatment Plant, this gas is used to generate about thirty percent of the Plant's energy needs.