Sludge Management

Texarkana Water Utilities is taking the lead in moving in the direction of increased enviromental awareness and worthwhile and innovative sludge management practices in the development of a co-composting operation at the South Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. This program will allow for the beneficial reuse of the biosolids, as well as contribute to a significant diversion of yard waste and other organic material from being landfilled. The components will be combined in large rows which will allow the biological decomposition to occur. The material will be aerated to accelerate the process to allow for the processing of large volumes of material. The composting process will allow a considerable amount of material to be diverted from being landfilled while providing a very beneficial and usable end product that can be returned back to the community.

The plant felt the need to respond by making a considerable difference in the community by promoting new, progressive and cost-effective methods to improve the process of sludge management practices, but was designed to include other materials that could be used in the process. Texarkana Water Utilities was able to promote intergovernmental cooperation within the city and through the composting program to address some of the needs of other city departments. Yard waste was a significant component of the Texarkana wastestream and could easily be diverted from the landfill and into the composting process. This intergovernmental approach allowed for capital and operating expenses to be lowered and an environmentally responsible and ecologically expedient approach to be applied to sludge Management practices and organic disposal within the city.

The short-term strategic plan is to fully implement the composting and beneficial reuse program and familiarize plant personnel with the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining andoperating the compost facility. In addition, during this period, personnel will be cross-trained in every aspect and area of compost production to ensure the functionality of personnel in all areas within the process.

The long-term strategic plan includes optimizing the process and adapting to the needs of the program. This includes developing new markets and creating distribution options in an effort to maximize the benefits of the product and the program.

In a time when Texarkana Water Utilities is being restricted by decreasing budgets and limited resources, the South Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant was able to provide a cost-effective and environmentally responsible approach to a rather complicated problem allowing Texarkana Water Utilities to further improve its service to the community.