Update on the National Biosolids Data Project

“Where have all the biosolids gone, long time passing? Where have all the biosolids gone, long time ago?” (a nod to Pete Seeger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2SIIeqy34).

That’s the question being answered by the second National Biosolids Data Project. In 2007, NEBRA, BioCycle, North West Biosolids, and Greg Kester of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (now with the California Association of Sanitation Agencies), completed the first comprehensive collection of data on biosolids use and disposal in the U. S., publishing state-by-state reports and a national summary (available at the web link provided below). The same team is at it again, with the addition of the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association (MABA) and help from other biosolids groups and state committees. The “long time ago” is 2018 – that’s the data year for this second major national survey.

The goal is to provide a robust set of data from one year – a snapshot of how wastewater solids – sewage sludges – are treated, regulated, beneficially used, and/or disposed of in every U. S. state and territory.

Preparations for the current survey efforts began more than a year ago, with a literature review and methods report completed in May, 2020, with support from a cooperative agreement provided through U. S. EPA Region 4.

Data collection began in the fall of 2020, using two survey tools painstakingly developed, reviewed, and tested. There are many nuances in how data are to be interpreted. And there are many challenges in trying to integrate the wide variety of solids treatment and management practices into consistent, comparable data sets.

As was done for the 2007 survey, the project team is relying on the expertise of state biosolids coordinators to provide the bulk of data on the regulation, quality, and end use or disposal of biosolids in their states. These state coordinators tend to have many responsibilities above and beyond biosolids, and the past year has been especially trying, with stretched budgets and difficult work situations due to the pandemic. “Despite all the challenges they face, we’ve had incredible help from many state coordinators already,” said project lead Ned Beecher of NEBRA. “I’m really excited about the quality of data and the summary reports that they have helped us put together for many states!”

The second survey effort is an online survey to be completed by biosolids managers at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs, aka water resource recovery facilities, WRRFs). It rolled out January 7th and can be accessed from the project website: https://www.nebiosolids.org/national-biosolids-survey-2018-data. It is for “Treatment Works Treating Domestic Sewage,” as EPA calls them, which include POTWs (publicly-owned treatment works), or, in general parlance, municipal (not industrial) WWTPs. The goal is to have at least 1500 of these facilities complete the survey, with balanced representation in every state and territory. “Ideally, we will collect data representing 70% of the domestic wastewater flow in every state and territory,” noted Nora Goldstein of BioCycle. “It’s an ambitious goal, but we’d love to exceed it! This is THE one biosolids survey for this decade, so we hope every WWTP will participate.”

This second National Biosolids Data Project data is funded with leadership from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Other funders include large leading public WRRF biosolids programs, private biosolids management companies, consulting engineering firms, and non-profit associations. “This is a remarkable, nationwide group effort,” said Janine Burke-Wells, NEBRA’s Executive Director, “and we are so grateful for the enthusiastic support from these leading biosolids stakeholders. We’re working hard to make sure we meet their highest expectations for this project.”

The project team is already designing a special stand-alone website on which the compiled data will be made available free to the biosolids profession and the public. There will be state-by-state summary reports, spreadsheets of data, and interactive visualization graphics providing insights into various aspects of the information collected. “We hope this will be a sustainable repository of biosolids data for years to come, for the professions to access and build on,” said Beecher. Roll-out of the new biosolids data website – with initial information, such as summary reports and spreadsheets from a limited number of states – is planned for late February.

Burke-Wells stressed the need for these data: “With all the stressors on solids management, increasing costs and regulations, it is more important than ever to have good data to use to support smart biosolids management activities and policies.”

For more about the project, go to https://www.nebiosolids.org/national-biosolids-survey-2018-data. Donations towards project expenses are still be being accepted.