Biosolids

Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD #1) recycles approximately 1200 tons of biosolids per year.

What are Biosolids?
Biosolids are a nutrient-rich organic by-product generated from wastewater treatment. They are rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and are used by farmers as a soil amendment. All municipal wastewater treatment plants produce biosolids. These processed solids are treated to substantially reduce pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and vector attraction which allows the solids to be reused.

Why Biosolids?
As our population grows, resource conservation has become essential. The biosolids program is the very essence of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” By reclaiming biosolids from wastewater, CCSD #1 is doing its part to save money and resources by reducing dependence on petroleum-based fertilizers.  Resource recycling through biosolids land application puts nutrients back into the soil, instead of creating more solid waste going to landfills.

 What are Biosolids good for?
Biosolids can be applied to a wide range of crops, for example, pasture, hay, dryland wheat, nursery stock, grass/sod or Christmas tree farmland. CCSD#1 applies liquid biosolids primarily to pasture and hay fields in Clackamas County.

Benefits include: improving soil condition; feeding plants a diet rich in nitrogen and phosphorus; and, improving water holding capability of the soil which reduces runoff that can clog water bodies making them better for fish.

Are Biosolids regulated?
CCSD #1’s biosolids program is required to meet strict state and federal regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. The fields chosen for biosolids application are approved by the State of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), who applies criteria established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for each wastewater treatment facility and application sites. CCSD #1 prides itself on producing quality biosolids for land application resulting in benefits to the soil and environment.

Clackamas County Service District No.1 (CCSD No.1)
Biosolids Team Contact Information

Resources

2011 Letter to partners
2011 Tentative Schedule
January Meeting summary
Invite to Feb meeting
01-25-2011 Biosolids Town Hall Presentation
10-13-2010 Biosolids Town Hall Follow-up Letter
10-13-2010 Biosolids Town Hall Questions and Answers