A small group of utilities from the Midwest met back in May at the Water Environment Federation’s Residuals & Biosolids Conference in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss the possible formation of a biosolids-focused advocacy organization like the North East Biosolids & Residuals Association NEBRA for their area of the country, to provide a stronger voice in support of responsible biosolids management.  In short order following that preliminary meeting, the Midwest Biosolids Association (MBA) was incorporated in Illinois on October 21st to represent the interests of biosolids managers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. 

NEBRA and the other biosolids associations assisted MBA with their start up efforts.  “We were happy to help,” said NEBRA executive director Janine Burke-Wells.  “It’s so important to have an organization focused just on biosolids! Despite decades of research and experience in managing them, there continue to be challenges to all end uses. We need more voices advocating for research and sustainable management methods and for recovering all the resources we can from wastewater biosolids.” 

Officers of the new biosolids association include:

Albert Cox, PhD, President (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Illinois)
John Norton, PhD, PE, Vice President (Great Lakes Water Authority, Detroit, Michigan)
Stacia Eckenwiler, PE, Secretary (Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Columbus, Ohio)
Pam Kirklin, Treasurer (Marion Utilities, Marion, Indiana)

In its first official act, the MBA joined the Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and North East Biosolids Associations in signing on to a comment letter regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to list two of the thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazards substances under the Superfund law (the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act).  PFAS regulations and impacts on biosolids management in the Midwest was the main driver for the new association.  Initial funding from Great Lakes Water Authority helped the MBA get a quick start.  MBA is working with the KBIII Group who is providing administrative assistance to the new non-profit.

Similar to other successful regional biosolids associations, MBA is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit organization and will be supported by membership dues, and the fee structure for this is currently being finalized.  The group has also formed some initial Committees for Membership, for Outreach and for Emerging Contaminants. Anyone interested in joining the Midwest Biosolids Association or any of its committees can contact MBA at MWBiosolids@outlook.com.