United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4204)
EPA 832-B 94 009
January 1994
&EPA Nomination Guidance
1994 Beneficial Use of
Biosolids Awards Program:
For Operating Projects,
Technology Development &
Research
-------
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to
announce the 1994 Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Program. This
program recognizes outstanding operating projects, research studies, and
technological advances which promote the beneficial use of municipal
biosolids. EPA Regional Offices and the Water Environment Federation (WEF)
will join our National Headquarters Office in helping to implement this
program. The program involves both National and Regional awards.
EPA actively promotes the beneficial use of sewage sludge biosolids.
Creative and widely applicable techniques for the beneficial use of biosolids
are vital to our efforts to protect and better utilize our resources. Many
municipalities, businesses, individuals, and groups have worked for years to
make significant contributions to the study and practice of safer, beneficial
use of municipal sewage sludge biosolids. These awards help demonstrate
the operational viability of biosolids management practices which beneficially
use biosolids in a manner which is environmentally safe, economically
attractive, and acceptable to the public. Winning entries will receive formal
awards and, along with other worthy nominations, will be publicly recognized
in various EPA, WEF, trade, and municipal publications. The WEF is also
planning a special workshop that would highlight presentations on excellence
in biosolids management and feature this year's winners. We encourage you
to nominate worthy candidates deserving of recognition.
The National awards will be made in October 1994 at the National WEF
Conference in Chicago, IL. This pamphlet describes the awards program in
detail and gives guidance for preparing and submitting nominations. Please
note that you need to send your nominations to EPA's Regional Offices by
their deadlines so that these outstanding efforts can be considered for both
Regional and National competitions.
Sincerely,
Michael J.
Director, Municipal Support Division
Office of Wastewater Enforcement and Compliance
-------
Purpose
The purpose of the awards program is to recognize the significant
contributions which have encouraged the development and implementation of
cost-effective and environmentally safe biosolids beneficial use practices
which recycle nutrients, improve soil conditions, or otherwise conserve
valuable natural resources.
Award Categories
Nominations will be accepted to recognize excellence in a wide range of
activities that have stimr'~ted beneficial use of municipal sewage sludge
biosolids. National awards will be presented in the following categories:
o Operating Projects (large & small). Outstanding, full-scale, beneficial
use technologies.
o Technology Development Activities. Significant technological
improvements that have been developed and fully proven at the
operational level; these may be pilot or full scale activities.
o Research Activities. Studies that have substantially contributed to an
improved understanding of biosolids beneficial use practices, improved
public acceptance, and/or advanced the technology.
Nomination and Award Guidance
o Candidates for awards may be nominated by anyone including the
nominee, EPA Regions, States, municipalities, consultants, researchers,
or other interested parties.
o Nominated and winning entries have included both individuals and
groups from private as well as public organizations.
o Completed nomination packages in specified format (see pages 4 & 5)
must be received in duplicate by the Regional office in which your office
is located (see pages 6 & 7).
o Important—Please check with your Regional Office contact (page 7) for
any Region-specific nomination guidance and for that Region's
submission deadline. The tentative Regional deadlines for receipt of
nominations are shown on page 6.
-------
Entries will be considered for Regional (which are being given increased
emphasis this year) as well as National awards. Regions will forward
one copy of all entries to EPA Headquarters by the June 6, 1994
National deadline.
Nomination packages, received for the National competition, will be
reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from EPA, WEF, and
other groups during June 1994. EPA Regional offices will also review
the nominations for a separate competition in their Region.
National award recipients will be notified before July 31, 1994.
National awards will be presented in October 1994 at WEF's National
Conference in Chicago, IL.
Each National award will consist of a certificate and plaque.
A short article describing each National award winning beneficial use
activity will be developed for the WEF Conference. Subsequent
publications describing those Regional as well as National activities will
be encouraged.
For the first time in 1994, the WEF is planning a special workshop that
would highlight presentations on excellence in wastewater management
and feature this years winners.
We especially encourage submission of nominations in the technology
development and research categories because these activities are
important in developing new alternatives and improvements in existing
beneficial use practices.
Note that there are two categories for operating projects with awards for
both large and small projects.
Nominated activities are sometimes chosen for special recognition
rather than a categorical award.
Previous first place winning projects or activities will not be considered
as candidates for the same award category for a five-year period.
However, second place winners can reapply after a one year wait to try
for first place in the same award category. Unsuccessful nominees for
awards may be immediately submitted again the next year. Persistence
has paid off for many nominees that have won awards after submitting
an improved application in subsequent years.
-------
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The beneficial sewage sludge biosolids use award candidates will be
evaluated against the following criteria.
For Operating Projects [Two Categories: (1) <5 MOD (2) >5 MGD
o Significant recycling/reuse of natural resources (e.g., nutrients, organic
matter, and energy).
o Sustained (several years), full-scale, proven operation.
o Consistent, cost-effective operation.
o Publicly acceptable.
o Compliant with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
o Excellence in project management.
For Technology Development Activities
o Sustained excellence in advancing our knowledge of technology (e.g.,
improved design criteria or operational practice).
o National application - technology has potential for use in many areas
across the country.
o Operationally proven.
For Research Activities
o Greater public acceptability of biosolids beneficial use.
o Greatly improves our understanding of the environmental effects
associated with beneficial use of biosolids.
o Substantial contribution toward the development of improved
technology design and operation.
o Key information generated for the development of improved sludge
biosolids regulations and guidance.
-------
NOMINATION FORMAT
The information described in the Nomination Format should be supplied in the
nomination package. The completeness of information provided and manner
in which the nomination addresses the Evaluation Criteria in both the
Executive Summary and the text is especially important.
All nominations must be submitted in duplicate in the following format to the
appropriate EPA Regional Office (see pages 6 & 7).
1. Identifying Information (Front page)
Name, address, affiliation, telephone number, NPDES number (if
applicable), and the spokesperson for the project or activity. Please
also indicate the applicable Congressional Representatives that you
would like notified should your entry win an award.
2. Executive Summary (2 pages or less)
Describe the project or activity indicating the award category for which
the nomination is proposed and how it meets the evaluation criteria.
3. Facility/Activity Information (4-5 pages)
Provide the following relevant information to adequately support the
nomination.
(a) Sludge biosolids type, volume, quality, and processing
information. Be specific regarding the unit processes, including
biosolids production and processing details, biosolids quality,
(e.g., nutrients and pollutants), and other details relevant to the
beneficial use practice.
(b) Cooperating parties and their contributions to the beneficial use
project or activity.
(c) Duration and size of the project or activity, extent of ability to
operate at design level, and cost information.
(d) Compliance record with applicable local, State, and Federal
regulations.
4
-------
(e) Project monitoring program, including its use to evaluate and
modify management practices.
(f) Description of project management activities emphasizing efforts
to hold down costs and to maintain and promote excellence in
project performance.
(g) Description of training activities where applicable, leading to
improved operations, performance, and public acceptability.
(h) POTW pretreatment program and its effectiveness, if appropriate.
(i) Special innovative practices or activities.
(j) Obstacles (technical, political, public acceptance, or other)
overcome as a result of the activity.
(k) Evidence of enhanced benefits resulting from the activity (such as
lower costs for biosolids management, lower energy
consumption, enhanced soil properties, better crop productivity
and quality, enhanced plant disease resistance, lower human
health risks, greater National adoption of practice, and improved
public acceptance).
4. Attachments
Supporting materials may be attached. The attachment should include a
short cover index page that lists the various supporting materials and
gives about a 4- to 6-line description of each item.
Photographs of the activity are strongly encouraged (where
appropriate). Photographic prints that can be copied for publication are
preferred rather than xerox copies of prints.
Note: Sheer bulk of information is not desirable. Be concise and attach
items that truly substantiate the importance and relevance of the
beneficial use project or activity. Please do not send materials that you
wish to have back because application materials are not returned.
-------
TENTATIVE REGIONAL DEADLINES FOR NOMINATIONS
EPA Tentative *
Region Deadline Dates States
1 05-18-94 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
2 03-14-94 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin
Islands
3 05-18-94 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
4 04-25-94 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee
5 05-18-94 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin
6 04-25-94 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas
7 04-25-94 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
8 05-18-94 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
9 05-18-94 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American
Samoa, Guam
10 04-25-94 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
These deadline dates for receipt of award nomination packages are
tentative. Please check with your Regional Office for verification.
-------
EPA REGIONAL CONTACT: (See List of States in Each Region, Page 6)
Region
Address
Contact
Telephone
Municipal Evaluation Section Charles Conway
Water Division
JFK Federal Building, WCM
Boston, MA 02203
Water Management Division John Mello
26 Federal Plaza, Rm 837
New York, NY 10278
Water Management Division Jim Kern
841 Chestnut Street (3WM22)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Municipal Facilities Branch Hector Danois
Water Management Division
345 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30365
Permits Section (5WQP-16J) Ash Sajjad
Water Division
77 West Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
Municipal Facilities Branch Gene Wossum
Water Management Division
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202
Water Program Assistance Branch Bob Steiert
Water Management Division
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
10
Compliance Branch (8WM-C)
Water Management Division
999 18th Street Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466
Permits and Compliance
Water Division (W-5-2)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Municipal Facilities Branch
Water Division (WD-134)
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Bob Brobst
Lauren Fondahl
Dick Hetherington
617-565-3517
Fax:
617-565-4940
212-264-5677
Fax:
212-264-9597
215-597-3423
Fax:
215-597-3359
404-347-3633
Fax:
404-347-1798
312-886-6112
Fax:
312-886-7804
214-655-7173
Fax:
214-656-6490
913-551-7433
Fax:
913-551-7765
303-293-1627
Fax:
303-294-1386
415-744-1909
Fax;
415-744-1235
206-553-1941
Fax:
206-553-1280
Also The Water Environment Federation
Contact Attention: Technical Services
601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-2400
Fax:
704-684-2492
-------
PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL SLUDGE USE AWARD WINNERS
Category
Winner [Activity]
Award*/Year
Operating Clayton Co, Water Authority, GA [Heat Dry, Comp.]
Projects City of Austin Water & WW Util, TX [Comp. Air Or]
(>5 MGD) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Util. Dist., NC [Land Ap]
Truckee Meadows Water Rclaim, Dist., CA [Land Ap]
City of Omaha, NE [LandAppl.]
Miami-Dade, FL [Air Dry, Composting, Marketing]
Vallejo San. & Flood Control Dist., CA [LandAp]
Cape May County Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [Composting]
Hampton Roads, VA [Nutragreen • Land Ap., Comp.]
Clayton Co., GA [Comp, Heat Dry, Tree Prod.]
Pima County, AZ [Land Application]
Seattle Metro, WA [Forest & Ag. land Use]
San. Dist of Los Angeles Co., CA [Composting]
1st 1993
2nd 1993
1st 1992
2nd 1992
1st 1991
2nd 1991
1st 1990
2nd 1990
1st 1989
tie 2nd 1989
tie 2nd 1989
1st 1988
2nd 1988
Operating Lafayette Wastewater Trtment Plant, GA [LandAp]
Projects Chillicothe Munic Util WW Tmt Pit, MO [Liq Land Ap]
(<5 MGD) The City of St. Peters, MO [LandAppl.]
The Susses Co. Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [In-Vess, Comp]
Alpena, Ml [Revegetate Industrial Waste Site]
Blackfoot, ID [LandAppl., Outreach]
Hannibal, MO, Bd of Pub. Works [Econ LandAp]
Redwood San. Sewer Service Dist., CA [Co-Compost]
1st 1993
2nd 1993
1st 1992
2nd 1992
1st 1991
2nd 1991
1st 1990
2nd 1990
Technology WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac.
Development [Scrubber and Mixing Advances/Comp. Odor Cont]
City of Lancaster, PA [Composting Odor Cont.]
N-Viro [Alkaline Stabilization of Sludge], OH
WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac.
[Thermal Odor Control]
Austin, TX [Accelerated Air Drying]
WSSC Montgomery Co. MD, Regional Compost. Fac.
[Chemical Odor Control]
Sussex Co., NJ [Compost Odor & Process Contro/l
(continued on next page)
1st 1992
2nd 1992
1st 1990
2nd 1990
1st 1989
1st 1988
2nd 1988
*1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
8
-------
PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL SLUDGE USE AWARD WINNERS (cont)
Category
Winner [Activity]
Award*/Year
Research Los Angeles County San Dist [Camp Odor/VOC] 1st 1993
Activities Drs. Al Page & Andrew Chang, Univ of CA, Riv. 1st 1991
Dr. Paul Giordano, Tenn Valley Authority, AL 2nd 1991
Dr. Rufus Chaney, US Dept of Agriculture, MD 1st 1990
Dr. Michael Over-cash, NC State University 2nd 1990
Univ. of MM, USDA Research Team 1st 1989
W124/W17G Regional Research Comm., USDA, CSRS 1st 1988
Allentown, PA/Penn State U, Palmerton [Reveg] 2nd 1988
Special City of Tampa Hookers Point WW Trt. Plant
Recognition [Optimizing Use of Digester Gas] 1992
Dr. Aurthur E. Petterson, Dept of Soil Sci,
Madison, Wl [Sludge Research in Wl\ 1992
NutraLime, St. Paul, MN [Incin. Ash + Water
Treatment Sludge for Land Improvement] 1991
Metro. Water Reclam. Dist. of Greater Chicago
[Long Term Multiple Contrb. to Beneficial Use] 1991
BioGro Systems, Inc., MD [Sustained Service &
Enhanced Public Acceptance} 1990
City of Los Angeles, CA & Ag Tech Co., AZ [Public-
Private Team from Ocean Disp. to Ben Use] 1989
East Bay Municipal Utilities Dist, CA [Sustained
Contribution to Beneficial Use & Composting] 1989
Honorable Benton Harbor-SL Joseph WW Trt Pit [LandAp] 1992
Mention Madison, Wl, Metrc-Gro [Land Use] 1988
Lime Lakes, OH, PPG Corp. [Priv, Svc. Reclaim Alk Site] 1988
Hannibal, MO [LandApplication] 1988
Bowling Green, KY [Land Application] 1988
Fallbrook, CA [Verm/composting] 1988
Ohio State Univ, Wooster, OH [Composting Biotech} 1988
•1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
------- |