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Weld County has over 20 separate wastewater treatment agencies treating millions of gallons of wastewater each day. Treatment results in the production of ten dry tons of biosolids each day. In addition, individual sewage disposal systems (septic tanks) are another source of solids when they are periodically pumped and those wastes are discharged at a publicly owned treatment facility. Disposal of these biosolids is a significant issue facing this region.
The only options for reuse/disposal of biosolids that meet Environmental Protection Agency and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment criteria are incineration, landfill disposal, or recycling as soil amendments. Incineration is not practiced because of air quality problems, and landfill space is limited. Recycling biosolids as soil amendments and fertilizers is the best use for this material. Recycling biosolids is increasingly being adopted by cities across the country. More than 80 percent of biosolids produced in Colorado is recycled by land application.
Industrial pretreatment programs are in place for controlling industrial wastes from larger wastewater treatment facilities and for smaller facilities with significant industrial flows. These industrial pretreatment programs reduce discharges of pollutants from commercial and industrial sources to municipal sewer systems, and the effectiveness of these programs are the major reasons wastewater treatment facilities can produce biosolids that meet the strict metals content restrictions in the Colorado and Federal regulations. Weld County also has regulations for land application sites, and county permits must be renewed annually.
