EPA-600/2-77-096
August 1977
Environmental Protection Technology Series
USER ACCEPTANCE OF
WASTEWATER SLUDGE COMPOST
Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
-------
RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECH-
NOLOGY series. This series describes research performed to develop and dem-
onstrate instrumentation, equipment, and methodology to repair or prevent en-
vironmental degradation from point and non-point sources of pollution. This work
provides the new or improved technology required for the control and treatment
of pollution sources to meet environmental quality standards.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield. Virginia 22161.
-------
EPA-600/2-77-096
August 1977
USER ACCEPTANCE OF
WASTEWATER SLUDGE COMPOST
by
William F. Ettlich
and
Anne E. Lewis
Culp/Wesner/Culp-Clean Water Consultants
El Dorado Hills, California 95630
Contract No. 68-03-2186
Project Officer
Francis L. Evans, III
Task Officer
Gerald Stern
Wastewater Research Division
Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio _45268
MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
-------
DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Municipal Environmental Research
Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publi-
cation. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect
the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor
does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
ii
-------
FOREWORD
The Environmental Protection Agency was created because of increasing
public and government concern about the dangers of pollution to the health
and welfare of the American people. Noxious air, foul water, and spoiled
land are tragic testimony to the deterioration of our natural environment.
The complexity of that environment and the interplay between its components
require a concentrated and integrated attack on the problem.
Research and development is that necessary first step in problem solu-
tion and it involves defining the problem, measuring its impact, and
searching for solutions. The Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory
develops new and improved technology and systems for the prevention, treat-
ment, and management of wastewater and solid and hazardous waste pollutant
discharges from municipal and community sources, for the preservation and
treatment of public drinking water supplies, and to minimize the adverse
economic, social, health, and aesthetic effects of pollution. This publica-
tion is one of the products of that research; a most vital communications
link between the researcher and the user community.
Wastewater sludge can be converted by composting into a soil condi-
tioner and is one method of recycling resources. The recycling will be
effective if the compost is accepted by potential users.
The user acceptance of wastewater sludge based compost or compost-like
products was investigated in this study by conducting interviews with
actual and potential users in various metropolitan areas. In addition, a
literature review was conducted to obtain information on past compost
operations. The results of this work are presented in this report.
Francis T. Mayo, Director
Municipal Environmental Research
Laboratory
iii
-------
ABSTRACT
This study was initiated with the overall objective of determining
user acceptance of wastewater sludge based compost. The work included
visits to several composting and compost distribution operations, an
extensive literature review, and interviews with users in several metro-
politan areas.
Existing and past compost and sludge product distribution operations
were analyzed to determine the characteristics of the successful operations
and the factors that may have led to the lack of success or failure of
others.
Interviews were conducted with a broad sampling of users to deter-
mine the factors which are pertinent to user acceptance of wastewater
sludge compost, specific product characteristics required by certain
users or classes of users, and other factors related to user acceptance.
Results of the study indicate that demand already exists for waste-
water sludge compost in certain metropolitan areas and that this demand
was developed by implementing a planned program. Similar wastewater
sludge product distribution operations have failed in the past because
of high pricing or poorly planned programs. Factors are developed in
this study which should help to assure development of successful distri-
bution operations. A broad characterization of the user requirements
and desires was developed based on the user interviews.
This report was submitted in partial fulfillment of Contract No.
68-03-2186 by Culp/Wesner/Culp - Clean Water Consultants under the spon-
sorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This report covers
the period September 1, 1975 to May 1, 1976 and work was completed as of
March 1, 1977.
iv
-------
CONTENTS
Foreword iii
Abstract iv
Figures vi
Tables vii
1. Introduction 1
Study objectives 1
Definitions 2
2. Conclusions and Recommendations 3
3. Study Method 5
4. Literature and Telephone Review 7
Method 7
Results ' 7
Summary 7
5. Area Interviews 14
Designated metropolitan areas 14
Selected metropolitan areas 14
Interview method 14
Results 15
Summary 15
6. Transport 23
Bibliography 25
List of Metric Conversions 26
Appendices
A. User interviews, Placerville, California 27
B. User interviews, Colorado Springs, Colorado 31
C. User interviews, Ft. Worth, Texas 34
D. User interviews, Washington, D. C 38
E. User interviews, Los Angeles, California 42
F. User interviews, Chicago, Illinois 45
-------
FIGURES
Number Page
1 Historical sludge product sales prices,
1960-1975 12
2 Truck transport of wastewater sludge compost .... 24
-------
TABLES
Number Page
1 Literature Review 8-10
2 Telephone Review 11
3 Interviews Conducted by Area 16-17
4 Existing Sewage Sludge Composting
Operations 18
5 Compost Transport Cost - Metropolitan
Sanitary District of Greater Chicago 20
6 Potential Compost Demand by Area 22
VII
-------
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
STUDY OBJECTIVES
Numerous past attempts have been made to market solid waste compost.
Most of these attempts were made on a commerical basis and most were not
successful if evaluated on that basis. Some of the solid waste compost
operations included wastewater sludge, but solid waste was the major por-
tion of the compost product.
It is not possible to extrapolate the results documented from solid
waste experience and apply them to wastewater sludge because of differences
in composition of the raw material, volume, and the differing economic
considerations for each. Generally, for a given population area, the
volume of solid waste compost will be several times the volume of waste-
water sludge compost. This volume difference alone has a major effect on
marketing or distribution technique and strategy.
The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of
composted sewage sludge to the general public. The determinations in this
study were based on information obtained from a literature review and from
personal interviews made in various cities representing varied population
densities. The following points were considered in conducting the inter-
views and developing the conclusions:
Would the user accept a compost product?
Comments on the like and dislike of product.
Would the user accept the product at no cost?
Would the user pay for the product? How much?
Would the user pick up the product at the source and how far
would the user travel for the product?
For each area, estimate the proportion of the total wastewater
compost production that will be picked up at the plant site
by the user.
For each area estimate the amount of wastewater compost that
can be distributed by the community based on the acceptability
-------
of the product.
Estimate the acceptability and distribution potential of waste-
water sludge compost in the Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los
Angeles metropolitan areas.
Estimate the cost for transport of sludge compost to the user.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this study the following definitions apply.
Composting
Composting is a biological process for converting organic constituents
of wastes into a stable humus-like product. As presently applied to sewage
sludge, the processes used are aerobic and are carried out at thermophilic
temperatures (IIB0^1) to 149°F or higher). Aerobic conditions are maintained
because higher temperatures are achieved and odors are minimized as compared
to anaerobic composting. Composting can be carried out in the open or in
mechanical enclosed systems (digesters). The major sewage sludge composting
applications are open type and the process is controlled either by windrow
turning or forced aeration.
Compost
Compost is the humus-like product produced by the composting process
and, in some cases, additional processing such as air curing and screening.
Typical wastewater sludge compost may have an average nitrogen content of
approximately 1.0 percent, but this can vary depending on the sludge and
the processing. Unless otherwise noted in this study the term compost
refers to wastewater sludge based compost.
Distribution
Distribution indicates the movement of product from the producer to
the user or to an end disposal such as landfill. This distribution may or
may not result in income to the producer and the producer may even have to
pay to have the product distributed.
Marketing
The selling of a product or service.
(1) English units are used uniformly in this report because many of the
English measures are common in the sanitary field. Conversion factors
are contained in the List of Metric Conversions.
-------
SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
There are only three agencies that have long term experience in dis-
tributing wastewater sludge compost or compost-like material on a large
scale; County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles (Carson, California),
Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago (Nu-Earth), and the
joint Maryland Environmental Service - USDA project at Beltsville,
Maryland.
Based on the contacts made during this study it is concluded that
no significant surveys have been published in the past on the acceptability
of wastewater sludge compost to users.
This work indicates that there is a demand for composted wastewater
sludge. Most successful compost distribution operations are relatively
new. It is unclear whether this success is temporary resulting from rapid
inflationary commercial fertilizer price increases, is more permanent due
to a growing awareness of the value of organic materials to soils, or is
perhaps a combination of both.
Where past wastewater sludge product distribution has failed it
appears the product was offered at too high a price in comparison with
other commercial products or the distribution was poorly handled with
little advertising or educational publicity.
It is estimated that the upper price limit for bulk wastewater sludge
compost would be $4-$10 per ton and for packaged sewage sludge compost
about $60 per ton at the point of sale based on west coast price levels.
In general, these price levels will not completely offset the cost of pro-
ducing the compost.
The successful operations generally apply the following principles
and one or more are lacking in the unsuccessful operations.
Favorable local publicity is developed.
The product is available for pick-up (or is delivered)
Guidelines or suggestions are provided for use.
The product is offered at no cost or extremely inexpensively
(except for refined products such as marketed by Kellogg
-------
Supply Company and Milwaukee Milorganite).
The product is given a trade name.
Testing of the sewage sludge compost would likely be required by
potential users. As noted in Appendices A through F, many interviewees
were interested in the compost, but would reserve any final commitment
until the product was tested for their use. These potential users felt
that a ton or two of product would be required to perform a meaningful
test. For some uses several tests would be required spanning a year or
a growing season. Many of the operations interviewed are commercial and
must be exact about the products they use. A golf course is a good
example because high quality fairways and greens are an important part of
their marketing program.
It is recommended that provisions for demonstration testing should
be included in any large scale distribution plan. A demonstration program
should include research for the intended use prior to test; the actual
field test including planning, test, and data compilation; data analysis;
and market analysis and promotion based on the results. Well planned
demonstrations should:
Demonstrate the useability to the particular user or class
of user.
Aid in creating or developing a potential market.
Provide valuable information to the program as to what
additives or treatment are necessary to make the product
marketable to those unable to use it in its present form.
-------
SECTION 3
STUDY METHOD
This study was carried out in three phases. First, a literature
review was made to identify all known air dried and composted wastewater
sludge operations in the United States. The literature review covered
the period of 1960 to the present.
Second, telephone calls were made to those operations, identified
from the literature review, which might provide applicable input to this
study of the distribution and user acceptance of wastewater sludge com-
post. Information relating to use guidelines and transport costs were
also obtained from the literature and telephone review.
Third, interviews with actual and potential users were conducted in
six metropolitan areas. The following three areas were designated for
the interview program because wastewater sludge compost or compost-like
products are presently being produced and distributed:
Los Angeles
Chicago, Illinois
Washington, D.C.
Three additional areas were selected for the interview program in
order to cover a broad population and geographical range:
Placerville, California (5,000 - 50,000)
Colorado Springs, Colorado (50,000 - 400,000)
Ft. Worth, Texas (400, 000 - 1,000,000)
The interviews were conducted in each of the six metropolitan areas
for the following purposes:
1. Visit any active wastewater sludge compost distribution
operations.
2. Obtain information on any user acceptance surveys which might
have been conducted in the area.
3. Determine user acceptance and distribution considerations at
each existing operation.
4. Randomly select and interview 5 to 10 actual and/or potential
-------
users in each area from the following general classifications:
a. State and local highway departments.
b. Municipal parks and golf courses.
c. Private golf courses.
d. Stadiums.
e. Wholesale nurseries.
f. Retail nurseries.
g. State and Federal forestry departments.
h. Major garden clubs or organizations.
i. Lawn and garden service organizations.
5. Obtain copies of sludge compost user guidelines distributed in
the area and methods used to disseminate the information to
users.
6. Obtain cost information for transport of wastewater sludge
compost or dewatered sludge in the area.
Each interview was conducted without notes, however, the purpose of
the interview was explained initially. Each interviewee was asked general
questions to determine the present knowledge of sludge compost and prior
experience with it. A sample of wastewater sludge compost from Beltsville,
Mary land (2) Was taken to each interview. The interview was conducted and
at the conclusion the interviewee was asked if product testing would be
desirable or necessary.
(2) Epstein, E., Willson, G. B., Burge, W. E. , Mullen, D. C., and Enkiri,
N. K., "A Forced Aeration System for Composting Sewage Sludge". Journ.
WPCE. 48:4:689. April, 1976.
-------
SECTION 4
LITERATURE AND TELEPHONE REVIEW
METHOD
The literature review covered the period from 1960 to the present.
During this review, references were compiled relating to distribution of
wastewater sludge compost, air dried wastewater sludge products, and
heat dried wastewater sludge products. In addition, letter requests
for information were sent to known wastewater sludge product distribu-
tion operations. The most promising references were contacted by
telephone to develop current information.
RESULTS
The results of the literature and telephone review are shown in
Tables 1 and 2 respectively. A graphical historical range of wastewater
sludge product prices for the period 1960 to 1975 is shown in Figure 1.
.This price information is general and variable, but provides a relative
comparison. The prices are as reported in the literature without adjust-
ment.
SUMMARY
From the period covered by the literature review (1960 to 1975) only
the following active wastewater sludge compost operations were identified:
1. Joint Maryland Environmental Service - USDA, Beltsville,
Maryland.
2. Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago, Illinois
(Distribution Only).
3. County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles, California.
4. Tillo, South San Francisco, California.
All of the above locations were still composting at the end of 1975.
In addition, fixed pile composting (raw sludge) commenced in 1975 at
Durham, New Hampshire and Bangor, Maine.
The Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, Manassas Park, Virginia, is
-------
TABLE 1. LITERATURE REVIEW
Location
Amarillo, Texas
Baltimore, Maryland
Battlecreek, Michigan
Beltsville, Maryland
Birmingham, Alabama
Boise, Idaho
Bristol, Connecticut
Centralia, Washington
Chicago, Illinois
Duluth, Minnesota
Emmclaw, Washington
Fargo, North Dakota
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Reference3
2-2;25,26('61)
1-4; 8 ('61)
1-1:20 ('60)
14-5;30-32('73)
1-1; 20 (60)
1-1; 20 ('60)
1-1; 20 ('60)
2-l;45 ('61)
1975 compost
conference
1-1; 20 ('60)
2-l;44-46 ('61)
1-1; 20 ('60)
1-1;20('60)
1-1; 20 ('60)
b •
Output
d
na
na
200 tons6
50tons/day8
48,000 cu yd
200-350 tons6
600 cu yd
na
25,500 tons
44 tons
na
12,000 tons6
2,000 tons6
3,000 tons6
Treatment
air dried, pulverized
unbagged
heat treated,
granulated
na
mixed with wood
chips, windrowed
na
na
Dair dried
2)pulverized
open air dried
some ground & bagged
Imhoff treatment
sand & gravel
drying beds
stockpiled
na
na
na
na
na
Nutrients0
na
N=3Z
P=2Z
N=2.8Z
P=2.6Z
N-0.9%
H3P04=2.7Z
K=0.2Z
N=2.25Z
P=3.0Z
N=3.59Z
N=2.69Z
P=2.52Z
na
N=4Z
P=6Z
K=0.1Z
N=1Z
P=1.5%
na
na
N=2Z
P=2Z
N=2.5Z
P=2.5Z
Distribution
user hauls
sold to Jobber
for delivery
100 Ib bags
municipal
use only, user
hauls
1 ) ground
2) unground
retail outlets
na
user haul
24 cu yds or
more delivered
user load &
haul
100 Ib bags
100 Ib bags
na
1)80 Ib bags
2)bulk
na
Price
$3/cu yd
$5.00-$7.50
per ton
$2.00/bag
no charge
l)$3.50/cu yd
2)$1.50/cu yd
$3.15/80 Ib
l)$1.60/cu yd
2)$.25/bushel
no charge
no charge
$1.00/bag
$1.50/bag
$. 50/1000 Ib
l)$2.00/bag
2)018. 75/ton
na
Remarks
Annual revenue = $3000.00
Uord of mouth advertising
Demand exceeds supply
Battlecreek Plant Food
demand exceeds supply
still operating in 1970
BI Organic
Farmers are largest users
Sludge Soil Conditioner
Municipality takes loss but
improves public relations
Nu-Earth£
Soil conditioner-sewage
sludge fertilizer^
Population = 3000
Income pays for chemicals
Fond Du Green
a. Compost Science Magazine unless otherwise noted
b. Dry tons or cu yd per year unless otherwise noted
c. Expressed as percentage by weight
d. Not available
e. Wet or dry basis
f. Product name
(continued)
can not be determined from reference
g. Wet sludge (22% solids)
-------
TABLE 1. (continued)
Location
Houston, Texas
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jasper, Indiana
Kirkland, Washington
Lewis town, Pennsylvania
Los Angeles, California
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mobile, Alabama
New Brunswick, N.J.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Omaha, Nebraska
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Reference
Public Works
Dec. 1972
1-1; 20 ('60)
1-1; 20 ('60)
2-l;44-46('61)
1-3 ; 46-47 (' 60)
14-4;16-17('73)
9-2;17 ('68)
9-2;17 ('68)
1-1; 20 ('60)
1:3;26('60)
1:1;20 ('60)
1:3;26-30('60)
Output Treatment
heat dried
50 tons na
50 tons8 na
na Filter Dried
na drying beds in
glass buildings
36,000 tons windrow composting
80,000 tons heat dried
na na
21,000 tons6 na
na na
500-600 tons6 na
600 tons na
Nutrients0
N-5Z
N=5,OX
P=2.7Z
N=5.89
P-3.49
na
na
N=1.0
P-1.7
K=0.01
N=2 . 66
P=2.18
N=1.77
P=2.18
na
N=2.5
P=-1.5
N=2.09
P=2.65
Distribution
competitive
bid, bagged
for resale by
contractor
na
na
user hauls
bought/bagged
for resale by
Kellogg Co.
Distributors
Deal 50 Ib bags
25-50 Ib bags
na
sell at beds
for $l/ton
1) bulk
2) bag
sold locally
from plant
Price
$21.00/ton
na
na
$3-5/cu yd
S6-22/cu yd
nominal fee
Retail price
$1.59/50 Ib ba
retail price
$4.50/bag
no charge
na
na
l)$15/ton
2)$1/100 Ib
$0.25/cu yd
$2/cu yd
ground
Remarks
Hou-Actinite
Indus
Population 5,500
Price depends on quality
Nitrohumus
•<3
Milorganite
Demand exceeds
MOBILEAID
downward trend
In 1960.
still operating
still operating
supply
reported
in 1970
in 1964
distribution through con-
tractor
Oshkonite
(continued)
-------
TABLE 1. (continued)
Location
Pennsauken, N.J.
Roanoke, Virginia
San Diego, California
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Schenectady, New York
Seattle, Washington
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Springfield, Illinois
Vancouver, Washington
Wichita, Kansas
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Reference
1-1;20('60)
1-1;20('60)
1-3;47('70)
1-1;20('60)
1-3;28('60)
2-1; 44 ('61)
1-1; 20 ('60)
1-2;48('60)
2-l;45('61)
1:1;20('61)
86,48('71)
An. City
Output Treatment
200 tons na
1,688 tons ground & unground
na mixed with seaweed
and leaves, air dried
500 tons bagged & ground
250 tons flash dried
na air dried
1000 tons6 na
na air dried
na glass covered
drying beds
5000 cu yd na
na Digested, air
dried then flash
dried in rotary unit
Nutrients0
na
N-2.5
P-1.5
na
na
N-2
P-2
K-0.5
na
N-1.96
P-1.65
na
na
N-2.1
P-0.2
na
Distribution
na
1) 80 Ib bags
2) bulk
Park Dept.
100 Ib bags
65 Ib bags
user hauls
city use only
bar or bulk
user haul
80 Ib bags
Duser haul
2) delivered
bulk or in
50 Ib bags
Price
na
l)$2/bag
2)$18.75/ton
not for sale
$2.50/bag
$1/65 Ib bag
no charge
$.50/80 lb
$5.75/ton
no charge
$2.50/bag
l)$2/cu yd
2)$3-4/cu yd
$30/ton bulk
$1.05-1.95
bagged
Remarks
All is used for Mission
Ray Development
ORGROf
still composting in 1970
main users-farmers,
park board, golf courses
Wichita Soil Conditioner
Operating since 1958
-------
TELEPHONE REVIEW
Location
Amarillo,
Texas
Birmingham,
Alabama
Corpus christi.
Texas
Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida
Houston,
Texas
Milwaukee ,
Wisconsin
Mobile,
Alabama
Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma
Oshkosh ,
Wisconsin
San Diego ,
California
Schenectady ,
New York
So. San Francisco,
California
The Dalles,
Oregon
Contact
Mr. Scherer
806-383-2253
Mr. Chandler
205-798-6489
Mr. Matthews
512-884-3011
Mr. Bramble
305-971-6220
Dr. Garrett
713-222-3587
Jim Latham
Mr. Wilson
414-271-2403
A. B. Dueitt
205-433-7482
willard Keith
409-239-6217
Tom Konrad
414-424-0466
Leo Groggins
714-225-9362
Mr. Brown
518-382-5021
Larry Houghton
408-984-2010
Joe Hasbrook
503-296-5401
Output*
2,000
na
na
2,500
25,000
70,000
45 -
30,000
na
na
10,000
130
na
10 cu yd
per day
Treatment
air dried on land
and sand beds heat
dried by Relco
1) flash dried
2) air dried
vacuum filtered
rotary kiln
heat treat to
40% solid cake
heat drying of
activated sludge
kiln dried
activated sludge
air dried
air dried
air dried what
could be distri-
buted; trucked the
rest to landfill
air dried
stacked
furnace dried.
digested primary
wet sludge mixed
with rice hulls
& coffee grounds
air dried ground
Distribution
Kentucky K
Tennessee
user hauls
1) bagged
2) bulk
user hauls;
bagged &
sold at plant
dispose in
landfill
by contract
with broker
distributor
hauls
user haul
90% landfill
10% user haul
user haul
park department
uses to develop
Mission Bay
user haul
sold in bulk
to distributor
user hauls
Price
b
na
1) $1/50 Ib
2) Sl.SO/
cu yd
$2/80 Ib bag
$10/cu yd
free for
asking
$2 I/ton
$65/ton
free
free
$.25/bushel
$3.00/cu yd
not for
sale
$1/65 Ib bag
S3/CU yd
fob
$.69-.99/bag
free
Nutrient
N
P
K
N
P
K
N
N
P
K
N
P
K
N
P
K
N
P
K
N
P
K
= 2-3%
= 2%
• 0
- 1.7%
= 0
= 0
= 2.5%
= 0
= 0
= 0
na
= 6%
= 2%
= 0%
na
= 0.5%
= 0
= 0
na
na
= 2%
= 2%
= 0
= 2%
= 0.5»
= 0.25%
na
Dates of
Operation
1960-now
1953-now
1936-55
air dried
1955-now
vac filtered
not really
compost
1950-now
1926-now
1948-now
1950-now
1960-1972
1960-now
1960-1973
1950-now
7-1965
Remarks
air dired sludge
sold to Relco Inc.
for $l/ton
Grow-Go private company
failed so City takes loss
high costs may cause shift
to land application of wet
sludge
may go to. compost when
solids increase to 50 tons/day
Hou-Actinite
market 100%
could not distribute the
dried sludge
private company tried to
bag & sell but failed
ORGRO , not much demand ,
losing money so not drying
now
Tillo Company.
now apply wet sludge on
airport
a. dry tons per year
b. data not available
c. brand name of product
-------
committed to composting beginning in January, 1978. Initial production
is expected to be 4,000 tons of composted sludge a year. Kellogg Supply
Company, Carson, California signed a contract with the City of Phoenix,
Arizona, for sludge and land to commence composting operations in 1976,
however, no composting was carried out in 1976.
Figure 1 shows the asking prices for various products, but in most
cases the degree of success at the price could not be determined. Dur-
ing the period 1960-1975 many utilities were not able to find users for
all of their sludge. All of the present wastewater sludge composting
operations are able to distribute all of their product and all but Los
Angeles give the product away free; Chicago even delivers at no charge.
Figure 1 shows a range of prices asked for air dried sludge from zero to
$20 per ton unbagged and $20 to $60 per ton bagged. The price range for
air dried sludge seems high even considering the present increased interest
in sewage sludge products. The heat dried sludges are quite a different
product and are difficult to compare to air dried sludge and compost.
For comparative purposes, the retail bulk price for fortified wood product
compost in the west coast area is shown. This comparison further implies
the pricing for air dried sludge to be out of line because the price of
competitive, similar products will normally determine the ceiling price
for sewage sludge products. This was confirmed later in the personal in-
terviews as many users said they would not pay more for wastewater sludge
compost than-they pay for their present product.
Bagged products command much higher prices; however, it is estimated
that bagging may cost $10 to $30 a ton additional depending on volume.
Most of the higher market price for bagged material is due to the cost of
bagging and additional transportation cost.
The price which Kellogg Supply Company receives on the retail market
for "Nitrohumus" is shown as "Retail Packaged Compost" and represents a
retail sales price for a heavily promoted, well packaged, competitive
product in Southern California. The price level for "Nitrohumus" is quite
high when compared with all other forms of wastewater sludge products
except Milwaukee Milorganite which isaheat dried product. Kellogg Supply
Company products are priced near the upper limit of the retail market for
packaged compost products and sell at these price levels because of high
product quality, good packaging, and heavy point-of-sale promotion.
From this literature review it is estimated that the current upper
price limit for bulk wastewater sludge compost is approximately $4-$10
per ton and for packaged sludge compost about $60 per ton at the point of
sale based on west coast price levels.
12
-------
200
180
160
*
« 80
o
•a
o
IH
o
I 60
40
20
0
|
I
I
L T
IT) -a -a -a a) en i -a -o w
•H
-------
SECTION 5
AREA INTERVIEWS
DESIGNATED METROPOLITAN AREAS
Three areas where wastewater sludge compost is presently being
distributed were designated for user interviews:
Washington, D.C.; USDA and Maryland Environmental Service
at Beltsville, Maryland.
Chicago, Illinois; Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater
Chicago (Nu-Earth).
Los Angeles, California; L. A. County Joint Water Pollution
Control Plant at Carson, California, and Kellogg Supply
Company at Carson, California.
It was anticipated that wastewater sludge compost market surveys
might have been made in these areas previously because of the present
distribution.
SELECTED METROPOLITAN AREAS
Three areas were selected for user interviews to cover a broad popu-
lation and geographical range:
Placerville, California (5,000 - 50,000).
Colorado Springs, Colorado (50,000 - 400,000).
Ft. Worth, Texas (400,000 - 1,000,000).
INTERVIEW METHOD
These interviews were conducted according to the method outlined in
Section 3. The interview with each selected respondent was conducted as
an informal conversation without notes rather than using a form. Most
of the questions were subjective and it was felt that an informal conver-
sation might convey a better understanding of the respondent's feelings.
Each composting or compost distribution operation in the three
designated metropolitan areas was visited.
14
-------
RESULTS
A detailed transcript of each interview by area is contained in
Appendices A through F. A listing of the organizations interviewed in
each area is shown in Table 3.
The trip reports for the compost site visits are contained in Appen-
dices D, E, and F. The characteristics of these operations are summarized
in Table 4.
An effort was made to obtain results of any marketing surveys relating
to user acceptance of sludge compost from any available source. As far
as could be determined, no such user surveys have been published in the
United States.
SUMMARY
Most people interviewed apparently had some knowledge of wastewater
sludge compost and were able to discuss the subject.
Comments and user reactions can be generalized as follows:
1. A majority of persons interviewed indicated a willingness to
use wastewater sludge compost provided:
a. It cost no more than the present product.
b. The user could test it prior to making a commitment.
Most potential users indicated an interest and, in many cases,
a real desire to test the compost. Most people wanted a large
sample for the test (a ton or more). Any meaningful testing
would have to be- on this scale or greater, especially for pri-
vate commercial operations.
Some potential users would consider compost as an alternative
to fertilizer, but this would depend on the particular appli-
cation. A test program may be necessary in some of these cases
to determine the results that can be expected.
2. In those areas where wastewater sludge compost is now being
distributed the users apparently accept the product:
a. There are few complaints.
b. Repeat customers are common.
c. Demand remains high.
15
-------
TABLE 3.
INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY AREA
Area
Placerville, CA
Appendix
A
Organizations
Colorado Springs,
Colorado
B
Ft. Worth, Texas
Was hington, D.C.
D
Nielsen-Ferrari Lumber Company
El Dorado Public Works Dept.
El Dorado County Recreation Dept.
El Dorado Hills Golf Course
El Dorado County Agriculture
Commissioner
El Dorado Fairgrounds
Sierra Golf Course
Broadmoor Hotel Golf Course
Valley High Public Golf Course
Colorado Springs Parks & Recrea-
tion Dept.
Colorado College, Supt. of Grounds
Gorby-Horning Wholesalers
U.S. Air Force Academy, Superinten-
dent of Falcon Stadium
U.S. Air Force Academy, Director
of Athletic Fields
Big Valley Sod Farm
Ft. Worth Park Dept.
Organic Compost Corporation
Corps of Engineers
Texas Highway Dept.
Consulting Landscape Architect
Tarrant County Water Control &
Improvement Dist. No. 1
Goldthwaite (wholesaler)
K-Mart Store
Dickeys Nursery & Landscaping
Wolfe's Nursery
Dwight D. Eisenhower Golf Course
Fairwood Turf Farm
Starlite Golf Course
Director of Road Operations, Dept.
of Public Works, Annapolis
16
-------
TABLE 3. (continued)
Area
Washington, D.C.
(Continued)
Appendix
Organizations
Reston Golf Course
National Capital Region of the
National Park Service
University of Maryland, Physical
Plant Department
Fairfax County Virginia Parks &
Recreation Department
Los Angeles,
California
Park Newport Apartments
The Irvine Company
Orange County Fairgrounds
Newporter Inn & Golf Club
Newport Beach Parks & Recreation
Department
State Department of Highways,
Dist. 07
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan area cities (5)
Warren's Nursery
Bruno Galapte Nursery
Crescent Landscape & Nursery
17
-------
TABLE 4. EXISTING SEWAGE SLUDGE COMPOSTING OPERATIONS
Estimated
H
CO
Location
Belts ville
Los Angeles
Chicago
Volume,
dry tons/year
3,650
44,700 present
109,500 future
100, OOO9
Potential
Area or Plant
Sludge Volume,
dry tons/year
43,800b
44,700 present
109,500 future
205,500
Sales
Price,
S/cu yd
SO
S2.00<±
SO
Costs For
Sludge Compost Major Compost Users
Production
S/dry ton
40-60°
11
14-15h
Point of Sale Private
Plant Delivered Citizens
X - No
X - No
X1 Yes
Govt.
Agencies
Yes
No
No
Private
Company
No
Yesf
No
a. Approximate 1975 volume of digested wastewater sludge processed as compost.
b. Blue Plains Plant only.
c. Includes amortization of capital and land costs, but no research work.
d. L.A. County JWPCP, Carson, California.
e. This is approximate price, actual income is based on a royalty on Kellogg sales.
f. Entire compost output under contract to Kellogg Supply Company who pick it up, process the compost, and sell it to retail outlets
and other distributors.
g. Estimated based on projected 1975 deliveries of 100,000 dry tons of compost.
h. Costs are primarily loading and hauling.
i. Delivered to users in 28 cu yd lots free of charge and to approximately 60 neighborhood distribution points in the Chicago area.
-------
3. All potential users were shown a sample of the Beltsville,
Maryland compost as part of the interview. The only signifi-
cant comment, generally, was that the user might need a finer
material. This comment was especially true of golf courses
who would use the product for top dressing of greens. Finer
product can be made by finer final screening or by grinding.
Other concerns were the salt content (for L. A. basin material),
and, to a very limited extent, the heavy metals and pathogen
content. These last two concerns were mentioned infrequently.
4. Compost is not generally attractive to commercial agriculture
at this present time, for the following reasons:
a. Compost is too low in nutrients.
b. The volume of compost required is very high compared to
fertilizer because of the low nutrient content.
c. Compost is difficult to handle in commercial agricul-
ture equipment because it is not as uniform as commercial
fertilizer.
5. Many potential users indicated they would travel "reasonable"
distances to pick up the compost provided the cost plus travel
were no greater than their present experiences with other pro-
ducts. Under these conditions the price of bulk compost would
probably have to be in the zero to $4 per ton range.
An analysis of the existing wastewater sludge compost operations in
each of the three designated areas does provide some very useful informa-
tion. Each operation has developed a unique distribution approach.
Compost from Beltsville is distributed primarily to public agencies
who must pick up the compost at the site. The compost is provided free
of charge on this basis. Beltsville will provide compost to private users
under special agreement. Demand exceeds supply, but only a portion of the
sludge production of the Blue Plains Plant is composted at Beltsville.
The Beltsville compost has not been promoted to any great extent.
Chicago is distributing a compost-like product from an old sludge
landfill. This product to date has been given to private citizens. The
product was named Nu-Earth in 1974 and simultaneously written up favorably
in a Chicago newspaper and orders began to exceed the delivery capability.
Other classes of users have not been promoted because the present demand
cannot be supplied. Chicago has a large back-log of unfilled requests and
reports only a couple of user complaints relating to odors out of the
many served. The compost is delivered in 28 cu yd truckloads and, in
addition, approximately 60 neighborhood pickup points have been established
and are kept stocked. Transport costs are shown in Table 5. There is no
charge for the compost even when delivered. Chicago feels that if they
19
-------
TABLE 5. COMPOST TRANSPORT COST -
METROPOLITAN SANITARY DISTRICT
OF GREATER CHICAGO
One Way Chicago ' Costs From
Distance Contract Figure 2
Miles Cost, $/cu yd $/cu yd '
28 2.50 2.60°
1.30 1.00°
a. Based on 225,000 cu yd per year
b. Projected
c. Does not include any contractor profit
d. Costs do not include truck loading
20
-------
charge for the product the users may feel there is an implied warranty.
Los Angeles County sells all of their compost to Kellogg Supply
Company under a long term contract. This company processes the compost
into various products which it sells on a wholesale basis to retail out-
lets such as K-Mart, nurseries, stadiums, golf courses, and similar out-
lets and users. The Company has been successful in this business for 50
years. Their products are among the most popular in Southern California.
They are able to market within a radius of 300 miles limited by transpor-
tation costs. Kellogg pays Los Angeles County a royalty based on sales
for the compost and picks it up at the plant site.
An analysis of these three examples provides a basis for the follow-
ing observations:
1. All three operations indicate practically no user complaints.
Chicago had 2 odor complaints in the first half of 1975
(150,000 cu yd delivered).
2. It would appear that in each case the particular class of
user has accepted the product. The users apparently like
the product because there are many repeat customers.
3. Users will accept the bulk product at no cost and, in the
case of Chicago and Beltsville, will travel to pick it up.
In Chicago it is estimated that the average user travels
approximately 2 to 5 miles to pick up compost at the local
pick up points. In Beltsville the average user probably
travels 20 to 50 miles to pick up the compost.
4. Wastewater sludge compost, properly packaged and promoted
on the retail market, can command a price competitive with
similar retail products.
The above observations apply to the three active examples and cer-
tainly illustrate that success is possible with several differing
approaches to the market. Table 6 shows an estimate for potential future
demand in the areas surveyed. This future demand was estimated based on
interviews and general observations in each area, but a comprehensive
demand survey was not made.
21
-------
TABLE 6. POTENTIAL COMPOST DEMAND BY AREA
Equivalent
Sludge Volume
Distributed, Dry Tons/Year
a. Estimated
b. Present actual experience
Volume User(s)
Will Pick Up
Area
Colorado Springs
Place rvi lie
Ft. Worth
Washington D.C.
Los Angeles
Chicago
Present
50
29
1,500
3,650
44,700
100,000
Potential
1,090
178
2,500
80,000
109,500
205,500
At Plant %
75-100a
ioob
ioob
ioob
b
100
80-100a
22
-------
SECTION 6
TRANSPORT
The cost of transporting wastewater sludge compost to the user was
estimated based on the experience of Chicago and from information developed
in the sludge transport task of this contract. The costs are a function
of the size of truck used, distance hauled, and volume handled. The costs
are expressed in dollars per cu yd of compost hauled. The costs include
all truck operation and maintenance including fuel, operator and amortiza-
tion of truck capital cost over 6 years at 7 percent. The costs do not
include any truck loading facilities.
The costs are applicable over the range of volumes shown. At small
volumes the unit costs increases substantially. The cost for truck
transport of compost is shown in Figure 2. A comparison of these costs
to the costs experienced by Chicago are shown in Table 5. The Chicago
compost is hauled by a private company under contract.
The costs of handling and loading the compost could range from $.50
to over $2.00 per cu yd. The cost of loading for Chicago presently is
$0.50 per cu yd.
23
-------
•a
>i
3
o
•co-
co
o
o
Annual Sludge Volume, 1000 cu yd
8 hour operation per day
No loading and unloading facilities
Most economical size truck from choice of
10, 15, and 30 cu yd sizes
FIGURE 2. TRUCK TRANSPORT OF WASTEWATER SLUDGE COMPOST
24
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHY
USDA, Beltsville, Maryland, "Sewage Sludge Compost Rules for Home Use",
January 23, 1974.
CH2M Hill, "Metro Denver District Sludge Management, Volume III,
Agricultural Reuse System Predesign'1, February, 1975, page 7-2.
O'Neal, John, "The Use of Sludge Should Be a Business", Compost Science,
16:3 (May-June, 1975), page 28.
Patterson, James C., "Enrichment of Urban Soil With Composted Sludge and
Leaf Mold - Constitution Gardens", Compost Science, 16:3 (May-June,
1975) , page 18.
Anderson, M.S., "Sewage Sludge for Soil Improvement, Circular 972",
USDA, Washington, D.C.
Kellogg Supply Company, "How to Improve Your Soil Information - Nitrohumus".
Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago, "Sludge Application
Rates", April, 1975.
25
-------
LIST OF METRIC CONVERSIONS
English Unit
acre
bushels
cu ft
cu yd
°F
ft
in.
Ib
mile
sq ft
ton (short)
Multiplier
0.405
0.035
28.32
0.765
0.555(°F-32)
0.3048
2.54
0.454
1.61
0.0929
0.907
Metric Unit
ha
cu m
1
cu m
°C
m
cm
kg
km
sq m
ton (metric)
26
-------
APPENDIX A
USER INTERVIEWS, PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA
A reasonable cross section of users, potential users, and suppliers
of soil conditioners were interviewed in Placerville and the surrounding
area on November 11-19, 1975. The Placerville wastewater treatment plant
does make their sewage sludge available to the public as an air dried
sludge and demand far exceeds supply. Two large suppliers of wood product
compost are located in the area; one supplies bulk materials FOB the plant
to anyone and the other packages their products for distribution to the
retail markets outside the area.
The soil in the entire area has a high clay content and requires
soil conditioners for best results. Demand seems to be high among citizens.
The area has a high proportion of retired people who do a great deal of
gardening. The demand from governmental agencies is not very high. County
and state highway departments maintain minimal roadside and interchange
landscaping. There are a number of golf courses in the area and the com-
post product has direct application in new plantings and as a twice
annually applied top dressing for greens and fairways. With proper pro-
motion, the demand for a low cost product by golf courses alone could be
150 to 400 cu yd per year which is greater than the present total production
of sewage sludge in the area.
There seems to be little problem with user acceptance in the area.
The maximum price which could be asked for sewage sludge compost is set
by the bulk price of wood product compost and manure products. This
ceiling price is approximately $4 per cu yd at the plant or about $7 per
cu yd delivered. There was a definite indication that wood product compost
(which has nitrogen added) would be favored over sewage sludge compost if
price were equal. If the sewage sludge compost were free the golf courses
would probably use it because they are extremely price conscious.
The area summary of supply and demand for sewage sludge compost is
estimated as follows:
Supply cu yd per year
Placerville WTP (Air Dried Sludge) 82
Actual & Potential Demand
Private Citizens - actual 82
Golf Courses - potential 100-400
Fairgrounds - potential 30-100
27
-------
Actual & Potential Demand (Con't.) cu yd per year
Miscellaneous - worm growers, schools,
parks, etc. - potential 30-100
Individual Interviews Follow:
Mr. Elmer Lamb, Jr., Plant Superintendent November 11, 1975
Wastewater Treatment Plant (916) 622-0372
City of Placerville, California
The City of Placerville operates a trickling filter secondary treat-
ment plant. The primary and secondary sludge is anaerobically digested
and dried on sand beds. This is not a compost operation, however, the
fact that all of their sludge production is removed from the plant by
users is significant to the compost study relating to Placerville.
Certainly these same users would take the composted material also.
The plant produces approximately 80 cu yd of air dried sludge per
year. Users load and remove all of this production from the plant site.
There is no charge to the user. Demand is much greater than the available
product. This demand has developed in the last two years and before that
the City could not get rid of the sludge. The City does no advertising
or promotion and the demand results from repeat customers and word-of-
mouth. The only complaints are with the tomato seeds.
For the most part, the users are older retired citizens who use the
product in flower and home gardens. Other users include:
1. One school
2. Placerville City Park Department uses the product occasionally
3. Ranchers, for orchard mulch
4. Worm growers
5. One golf course
Mr. Lamb felt that people would not be willing to load and remove
the product from the site if he charged, say, $5 per pickup load. He
felt they might be willing to pay if the City loaded the product, but
this is an inconvenience to the City. Competitive wood product compost
with 0.5% nitrogen is available in the area for $3 to $5 per cy yd loaded
depending on size of load. Mr. Lamb was also concerned about additional
product complaints if people were asked to pay for the product. Users
probably travel an average of 5 miles to obtain the product and some
travel as far as 20 miles.
Mrs. Neilsen November 11, 1975
Neilsen-Ferrari Lumber Company (916) 622-9211
These people have a blended wood product compost available in
28
-------
quantity at the mill for pickup. They do not deliver. The price is $3-
$5 per cu yd loaded depending on size of truck. The material looks
excellent, is of uniform fine particle size, has a slight wood odor,
and contains 0.5% of a slow acting nitrogen. The demand is high both
from private citizens and a company who packages it for the retail market.
The company can produce approximately 800 cu yd in 8 hours. This product
is not a sewage sludge product, but does establish a market price ceiling
for the sewage sludge product.
Mr. Arthur Cort, November 12, 1975
El Dorado Public Works Department (916) 626-2347
Placerville, California
The county and state do very little in this area of California in
the way of new plantings or maintenance of plantings. Any new plantings
are installed under contract. In general, they spray along roadways to
kill growth and do not encourage plantings along highways and roads.
Most regular maintenance consists of runoff control where coarser mater-
ials are required.
Mr. Bruce Robinson November 12, 1975
El Dorado County Recreation Department (916) 626-2438
Placerville, California
He would not hesitate to use the sewage sludge compost and thinks it
has wide application as soil conditioner. The Recreation Department does
not have any parks to maintain, but may be constructing some in the future.
Their demand at this time is nil. Bulk (no packaging) would be no problem
and manure products are now $7 per cu yd delivered, so cost to the depart-
ment would have to be comparable.
Mr. Bob Platt, Manager November 12, 1975
El Dorado Hills Golf Course
El Dorado .Hills, California
They are very interested in the sewage sludge compost and would have
three uses for it.
1. New plantings. It could be used as organic soil conditioner,
however, they are established and have little new plantings now.
2. Top dressing for greens. The greens are top dressed twice a
year with a sand and compost mixture to a depth of about 3/16 in.
They would need fine, screened material but would use 40-50 cu
yd per year for this. He sees no problem is using and spreading.
3. Top dressing for fairways. They don't normally dress fairways,
but they are badly in need of it because there is no top soil
29
-------
base. If the material were free, they would consider it. This
would require 100-200 cu yd per year.
Expense is a major consideration and they would pay up to what they
now pay for commercial soil conditioners provided equal or better results
were obtained. They will test it on a green for use next spring.
Most golf courses would have similar requirements for top dressing
unless they had an excellent base.
The product appeared satisfactory except it would have to be finer
than standard Beltsville material for green top dressing. They would use
the product up to cost of comparable products provided results were equal.
No special packaging would be required.
For fertilizer, they use Scotts-Pro-Turf. They have used Milorganite,
but it tended to burn the turf and required watering in.
Me. Ed Delfino November 18, 1975
El Dorado County Agriculture Commissioner (916) 626-2305
Mr. Delfino indicated that there would be little demand for sewage
sludge compost within the commercial agriculture industry within El
Dorado County. The primary need of commercial agriculture is phosphorus
and nitrogen and the handling of large volumes of compost to obtain these
needs is not attractive compared to commercial products.
Mr. Cyril Hill November 24, 1975
El Dorado Fairgrounds (916) 626-2307
Placerville, California
The fairgrounds uses only commercial fertilizers at this time. Per-
sonnel were only slightly familiar with compost materials and their use.
They do install new plantings each year and the soil is not very good,
but the personnel are not in a position at this time to make a judgement
on sewage sludge compost. This is a potential use, but some education
would be required and probably a reasonably large test plot during one
season would be beneficial in demonstrating the merits of soil amendment.
It is quite likely that a steady use could be developed over a period of
2 years, however, this is the opinion of the surveyor. Mr. Hill did not
feel that a small sample would be beneficial to him in demonstrating
results.
Sierra Golf Course November 11, 1975
(Private) (916> 622-0760
Placerville, California
The owner declined to participate in the survey.
30
-------
APPENDIX B
USER INTERVIEWS, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
A survey of users, potential users, and suppliers of soil conditioners
was made in the Colorado Springs surrounding area on January 27-29, 1976.
The Colorado Springs wastewater treatment plant usually does not make its
heat treated sludge available to the public; an exception being the City
Parks and Recreation Department as discussed later in this report. The
Air Force Academy Base has its own sewage treatment plant on the grounds
and all of its sludge is composted and used.
The soil in the area ranges from sandy loam to clayey. There is a
high need for soil conditioners. There is an extensive park system in
the city including several municipal golf courses. Private golf courses
are numerous in the area. Those interviewed were accepting the value
of composted sludge and therefore a strong emphasis was placed on sample
tests to determine useability. There was a unanimous willingness, even
anxiousness, to test results. All of those surveyed use Milorganite and
would expect local sludge to be less expensive.
In di vi dua1 interviews fo1low:
Broadmoor Hotel January 27, 1976
Chuck Clarke - Director of Golf Courses (303) 634-7711
Mr. Clarke was familiar with composted sewage sludge as he is pre-
sently using Milorganite as a soil conditioner and top dressing. He would
need a very fine grained sludge for the greens, more finely ground than
the Beltsville sample. The Broadmoor has three golf courses. There are
600 acres, 450 of which are fertilized with a special mix by "Agra-Chem"
of Denver. Presently they buy Milorganite in bulk by the train car load
and use it once a year in the summer. About 50 tons are applied. They
would expect to pay less for local composted sludge and would travel a
half hour round trip to pick it up in bulk. They would be grateful for
a sample and very willing to test it and give results. They would defin-
itely want an analysis of the product before using it.
Valley High Golf Course January 27, 1976
Mike Hair - Grounds Superintendent (303) 635-2741
This is a municipal golf course involving some 225 acres. They pre-
sently use Milorganite as a top dressing for the greens plus 10 tons of
31
-------
"Agra-Chem" 17-5-10 fertilizer spread 8 times a year. Mr. Hair said they
would be interested in trying the product but would require a more prilled
consistency and questioned the possibility of potential drag in application
due to the inoistness of the product. They would expect the product to be
free or quite low cost and could only determine the feasibility of picking
it up in bulk after trying the product and determining its value for their
purposes.
Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department January 28, 1976
Bill Stookey - Superintendent of Parks (303) 471-6630
Mr. Stookey indicated that there would be product acceptance and that
Parks and Recreation is presently using heat treated sludge from the local
treatment plant as a soil conditioner in undeveloped parks. It is used
as a base layer for sodding to increase water holding capacity of some of
their soils. Parks and Recreation has 70 flower beds and starts all their
own plants (40-50,000 plants per year). They would expect composted sludge
to cost less than the $3 per cu yd they are paying for local top dressing,
top soil and peat mix of which they use 500-600 cu yd per year. Fertilizer
(15-5-5 and 10-6-4) is also used for plantings. They would be glad to
have a sample of composted sludge and would record test results.
Colorado College January 28, 1976
Claude Coward - Superintendent of Grounds (303) 473-2233
The college has several athletic fields and a total of 55 acres of
landscaping. They presently use about 8 tons a year of "Jirdon" fertilizer,
12-12-4 for turf grass. They apply it 3 times a year. They would be
interested in composted sludge and would like a sample with the understanding
that they would do a study. Mr. Coward would expect the cost to be less
than what they are presently paying for fertilizer and would be willing
to travel 30 miles round trip to pick up the product.
Gorby-Horning Wholesalers January 28, 1976
Mike Martinez, Warehouse Supervisor (303) 598-1539
Gorby-Horning has been in business for about 5 years. All products
are sold packaged. They have a high demand for Milorganite, mostly from
golf courses. The company also sells fertilizer for trees and turfs.
They would consider marketing composted sludge if it were packaged and
only if the demand carried the product. They would expect to pay a small
amount for the product.
U.S. Air Force Academy January 29, 1976
Tony Guerrero, Superintendent, Falcon Stadium (303) 472-1151
Mr. Guerrero is in charge of 225 acres, the grounds of Falcon Stadium,
32
-------
the official football field for the Academy. He is presently using
Milorganite as a soil conditioner and a 20-0-10 fertilizer plus iron and
sulfur. He uses 5-6 Ib per 100 sq ft 4 to 5 times per year. He would be
interested in the product if its nitrogen content were sufficient to make
it valuable. He would be able to pick up the product and could travel
20 miles round trip to do so. He would expect to pay less than for
Milorganite. Mr. Guerrero would be pleased to run a study with a sample
and record results.
U.S. Air Force Academy January 29, 1976
Mr. Joe Moore, Director, Athletic Fields (303) 472-1818
Mr. Moore is in charge of all athletic fields other than Falcon
Stadium involving some 135 acres. He presently uses all of the sludge
from the Air Force Academy Base Sewage Treatment Plant. Mr. Moore hauls
it and pits it for composting. He periodically adds nitrogen, phosphorus
and potash. He uses the product as a top dressing and for patching breaks
in the turf. He finds he no longer has to re-sod where breaks occur
making it highly suitable for his purposes. He is very enthusiastic
about the value and potential of composted sludge and was happy to know
that the E.P.A. is studying its marketability.
Big Valley Sod Farm January 29, 1976
Wayne and Frances Booker, Owners (303) 683-2599
Mr. and Mrs. Booker have 2500 acres, 900 of which are used for grow-
ing sod. They presently fertilize with "Scotts" Turf Builder and ammon-
ium nitrate. They use 700 to 900 tons per year and apply it every 30 days
from March through October. They were interested in the potentials of
composted sludge for their needs but definitely would want to test it
before they would know if it would be beneficial to them and how much
would be necessary for their purposes. They would require a very large
sample for testing. They would expect to pay less than what they now pay
for commercial fertilizer. If the product were of value to them they
would be willing to travel within the city limits for the product.
33
-------
APPENDIX C
USER INTERVIEWS, FT. WORTH, TEXAS
A cross section of users and sellers of compost, peat and other soil
amendments were interviewed in the Ft. Worth area on September 22-25, 1975.
The Ft. Worth wastewater plant sludge usage as a soil amendment served as
a background marketing system. Fort Worth has two treatment plants, the
Village Creek plant and the Riverside plant. The Riverside plant is the
older of the two and is to be abandoned in the near future. The Village
Creek plant is under expansion now and an additional future expansion to
upgrade quality is planned. The Riverside plant utilizes anaerobic digesters
and stores the digested sludge in deep lagoons until full and lets the
sludge dry over a period of years.
The Village Creek plant uses anaerobic digestion and shallow drying
beds and fills an area to 6 inches, lets it dry for a week, then removes
the sludge with a front loader into trucks. During 1974, the average
sludge (dry solids basis) production at the Village Creek plant was 80,000
Ib/day +_ and at the Riverside plant was 40,000 Ib/day. The City of Fort
Worth has no marketing program; however, individuals may go to the plant
and obtain sludge. The primary method of getting rid of sludge is via
the City Park Department, the Tarrant County Water Control and Irrigation
District and the Texas State Highway Department. During the past 3 years
demand has been greater than supply. Tarrant County was unable to obtain
all that they needed. Other governmental agencies use sludge, but on a
truckload basis. They report they are not only pleased with the product,
but are enthusiastic. It is anticipated that a composted sludge would be
similarly accepted.
It appears that all of the sludge in the Ft. Worth area could be
disposed of in composted form for a nominal price. It appears that the
primary market would be governmental agencies.
Soils in the area are clay, sand, or rock and therefore, soil condi-
tioners are necessary.
Individual interviews follow:
David Niven September 22, 1975
Fort Worth Park Department
Mr. Niven has priority on all sludge from the City of Fort Worth
waste treatment plants and uses about 20,000 cu yd per year. The parks
34
-------
in the City of Fort Worth have an area of about 9,000-10,000 acres, and
including parkways, golf courses and other miscellaneous areas some 15,000
acres are involved. He is satisfied with the dried sludge and would be
glad to have composted sludge. Mr. Niven's present plan is to spread one
inch on all parks and road easements. He picks up the sludge and carts
it the 18 mile round trip. He stated that the sludge provides a base
whereby less fertilizer and water are required since the humus holds the
nitrogen and water better than natural soils. He plans on mixing wood
chips with the sludge to produce a compost-like material for shrub and
plant areas. He also plans on mixing sawdust to provide a potting soil.
Mr. Niven doesn't see a decrease in demand for the material on a long-term
basis, and he plans on continuing his present usage of about 120 cu yd
per day, or 20,000 cu yd per year.
Mr. Maurice Wolff, September 22, 1975
Organic Compost Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas
Mr. Wolff said he would use the product if it were free and would
pick it up. The present operation at Organic Compost consists of trucking
both sheep and cow manure to huge compost piles. His furthest distance
is 140 miles round trip. He markets the compost as "cow manure" and
"sheep manure" to retailers such as K-Mart, Sears, Wolfe's nurseries,
and others. Organic Compost also has plants in Pennsylvania, Minnesota,
and Atlanta. They are the number one suppliers of compost in the country.
Perry Robinson September 23, 1975
Corps of Engineers
The Corps of Engineers maintains recreational areas around lakes that
they are associated with. They had just experienced a budget cut when
interviewed, which influenced some of their position. Mr. Robinson was
interested in the product; but temporarily unable to commit to picking it
up or thinking it possible to purchase the product. Aside from these
influences, he thought it would be something they could use and was
cooperative.
Mr. Jack Unger September 23, 1975
Texas Highway Department
Fort Worth, Texas
Mr. Unger is a landscape architect in the highway department maintenance
section. He is very satisfied with the material, but would prefer something
which is seedless and a more accessible loading system at pick up site.
Mr. Unger uses the material as a fertilizer by applying 1" over road ease-
ments. The Fort Worth section maintains a 9 county area. The purchase
of a 16-20-0 fertilizer is nearly $200 per ton which takes a substantial
portion of the highway department maintenance budget. The more sludge
available to him, the less fertilizer he must purchase. Mr. Unger will
35
-------
accept a compost sample and will comment on its value.
Mr. Alan Divergi September 23, 1975
Consulting Landscape Architect
Nyrick, Newman, Dalberg
Fort Worth area
Mr. Divergi was interested in the product. He said he couldn't use
it as a substitute for fertilizer since so much would be required. They
prepare beds for all but turf with 8 in of material consisting of 4 parts
sandy loam, 2 parts peat, 1 part sharp's sand, and 1 part "barn manure".
He said they would be willing to test it to see if the product was use-
able to them.
Mr. Gene Fruhwirth September 24, 1975
Tarrant County Water Control & Improvement
District No. 1
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Mr. Fruhwirth is of the opinion that the sludge is better than
fertilizer and he would use it in preference to fertilizers. Mr.
Fruhwirth maintains 54 miles of levees along the Trinity River plus two
or three reservoirs. He cannot obtain as much of the sludge as he would
like because other agencies have priority and he does not have enough
trucks to haul as much as he can use. He says it establishes a beautiful
turf, and controls erosion. Where he might apply 10 sacks of fertilizer,
he spreads 12 cu yd of sludge. He says the material he presently uses
has a pungent odor which disappears in a day or so. He uses a farm-type
auger manure spreader and has no problem with distribution. He says he
would pay a nominal fee for the material and would contract for a speci-
fied amount. He says he uses it at his home and most of his employees
use it by taking a pickup truck load from his stockpile at the TCWC and
ID yards.
Mr. Charles Gregory September 24, 1975
Goldthwaite
Fort Worth, Texas
Goldthwaite is a wholesaler and is the local distributor for Milo-
granite. Mr. Gregory is not interested in peat or composted materials
particularly because it is a low profit item requiring a lot of continued
sales effort. He said he would be willing to make his customers aware of
its availability.
Assistant Manager September 25, 1975
K-Mart Store
Fort. Worth, Texas
36
-------
K-Mart administrative offices are in Troy, Michigan where Mr. Wall
and Mr. Shroeder (Buyers) determine what products are acceptable for
purchase by the local K-Mart stores. There are 4 stores in Fort Worth
and 3 to 4 trucks of compost are sold per month at all stores. It is
estimated that this represents about 100,000 Ib per month (approximately
100 cu yd). The store sells the material in 50 Ib plastic bags for $1.77
for cow manure and $1.97 for sheep manure.
Dickeys Nursery and Landscape September 25, 1975
Nameless Proprietor
The owner of this nursery/landscape business does not use sewage
sludge and would not use sewage sludge compost on turf areas or bedding
areas because he believes it causes too many grub worms.
Mr. Chambers September 25, 1975
Assistant Buyer
Wolfe's Nursery
There are 40 Wolfe Nurseries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They
currently use Organic Compost Corporation's material and sell an undis-
closed large quantity. Mr. Chambers indicated that the material would
have to be packaged, and then it would be a matter of whether the public
would buy it. When asked if it was offered for free or for a nominal
price, Mr. Chambers indicated that the convenience factor would dictate
usage. Mr. Chambers felt that to market the product successfully through
nurseries it would have to be priced well below current products and
packaged.
37
-------
APPENDIX D
USER INTERVIEWS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Presently in the Washington D.C. area there is one composting opera-
tion co-sponsored by the Maryland Environmental Service and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biological Waste Management Group. This
project is funded in part by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The
site for composting is the USDA Research Station in Beltsville, Maryland
where 70 wet tons a day, 5 days a week of raw vacuum filtered sewage sludge
from the Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant of Anacostia are composted
on a steady flow basis. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has
plans to begin composting 50 tons per week of its sewage sludge in July
of this year. .The Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority of Virginia, is con-
structing an advanced wastewater treatment plant with plans to produce
approximately 4,000 tons per year of compost at that site beginning January
1978.
The soils in the area range from sandy to clay (both heavy and light).
There is a need for soil conditioning, and locally marketed topsoil is
reported to be of poor quality. Parks and recreation departments are
using composted sewage sludge from the Beltsville operation providing
their own transportation for pick up and delivery. Because the surrounding
area is the nation's capital, Maryland's capital, and historic northern
Virginia, there is a large tourist industry, resulting in many well kept
grounds around historic sites, many monument grounds and of course, the
usual number of public parks for local community residents. The bicen-
tennial attractions include parks and gardens built and landscaped especially
for the occasion. The National Capital Parks Department is using composted
sewage sludge for plantings and construction. Park departments in Maryland
and Virginia are satisfied users with high potential demand. Some golf
courses in the surrounding metropolitan area are already using composted
sludge, are satisfied with the product, and indicate that they would
welcome the opportunity to have an unlimited supply.
User acceptance is enthusiastic in the Virginia metropolitan area
and the City of Washington, D.C. Private business concerns surveyed in
the Maryland area were quite pleased with the prospect of using the pro-
duct, one mentioning the health issue as a possible deterrent due to past
experiences he has had with the citizens of nearby housing tracts monitoring
everything put on the ground at his turf farm operation with regard to its
environmental impact. The Maryland officials within the departments using
wastewater sludge compost were hesitant to commit themselves, being quick
to indicate that use and/or continued use of composted sewage sludge would
depend on public acceptance. They were concerned with the question of
38
-------
health, particularly Maryland Health Department regulations which consider
acceptable uses as follows: (1) Turf farms, (2) Nurseries, (3) Golf
Courses, (4) Establishing new lawns, with the exception of use by the
individual homeowner, (5) Public works projects, (6) Park lands, with
'the exception of playground areas, (7) Reclamation projects (marginal
land). In contrast, the Fairfax County Virginia Public Health Department
ruled that the composted sludge hauled into the county from Beltsville
could be used anywhere.
The interviews conducted on March 22-24, 1976, indicate a healthy
potential market for the Washington metropolitan area. There is construc-
tion commitment now to make available by January 1978 a total of 41,000
tons per year of composted sewage sludge. User demand from this very
small sampling ranges from 1500-2000 tons per year.
Individual interviews follow:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Golf Course March 22, 1976
Les Belcher, Manager and (301) 849-8341
Boe Marshall, Greens Keeper
Mr. Belcher and Mr. Marshall are presently using composted sludge from
the Beltsville operation. They are picking it up with a leased truck and
have so far acquired about 750 cu yd. They are using the composted sludge
for construction purposes applying 25 tons per acre of seeding to an area
12 to 16 acres. They are also using composted sludge on the fairways and
roughs. Normally they use a chemical soil loosener on the greens and top
soil on the fairways. Mr. Belcher stated that the local top soil is very
poor and he definitely prefers the composted sludge. He indicated that
they would be willing to travel up to 30 miles round trip for free composted
sludge. Mr. Belcher indicated that he could use a great deal more of the
product. There are 216 acres involved at the golf course.
Fairwood Turf Farm March 23, 1976
Walter Livingston, Manager
Glendale, Maryland
Mr. Livingston would be glad to have a large supply of the composted
sludge as a soil conditioner. He is presently using 150-200 tons, 3 times
a year of 10-10-10 or 10-6-4 by Agrico, plus lime, as fertilizer for the
500 acres. Mr. Livingston has many trucks at the farm and would be willing
to pick up the sludge travelling as far as he could go and still come out
ahead of what he is presently paying for commercial fertilizers. This
was all contingent upon a sample for use and study to determine if the
product would work for his purposes. He pointed out that there might be
a problem using composted sludge as his neighbors (a housing tract) closely
monitor what kinds of fertilizers and how much he uses on his farm.
39
-------
Director of Road Operations March 23, 1976
Department of Public Works, Charles T. Mewshaw (301) 224-1831
Anne Arundel County
Mr. Mewshaw has been using the compost product recently. His trucks
have picked up about 800 cubic yards to date at a cost to the Road
Operations, Department of Public Works about $1.50 per cu yd. The product
has been applied to an area 250 ft by 4 ft as a mulch and soil conditioner
for landscaping use. The public golf course in the county has picked up
750 cu yd for use on their fairways. The greens keeper at the golf course
presently uses a 10-6-4 mixture or 10-10-10 for weekly application on
greens for their golf course in the summer. Mr. Mewshaw was reluctant to
commit to the continued use of sludge. He said it was good for some
purposes but stated that, "...you wouldn't want to use it around the capital
building or someplace like that." He seemed tentative about the product,
but willing to use it and see what it would do.
Reston Golf Course March 24, 1976
Mr. Brock,. Owner
Reston, Virginia
Mr. Brock was very interested in the potential availability of com-
posted sewage sludge in his area. He is involved with 250 acres and
three golf courses, one in Fairfax, Virginia, the other two in Reston,
Virginia. He presently uses ammonium sulfate - as a winter fertilizer
on the fairways. Milorganite is applied 3 times a year. His only qualm
about local sludge would be the phosphorus level. He would need a low
phosphorus level for his purposes. They would be willing to pick up the
product and travel as far as feasible to still keep costs less than he
is presently spending on commercial fertilizers. He talked for some time
expressing his feelings about the potential he saw in composted sewage
sludge emphasizing how poor the local soil is and how healthy it could be
with the use of organic products such as composted sludge.
National Capital Region of the March 24, 1976
National Park Service
James C. Patterson, Research Agronomist
Washington, D.C.
Twenty three percent of the city of Washington is park area and the
National Park Service is interested and aggressive about composted sewage
sludge. Mr. Patterson indicated that they have picked up about 9,000 cu
yd of. the product from the Beltsville operation and are using it on all
the Constitution Gardens Parks, in Rock Creek Park for renovating soils,
and in construction of the Folk-Life Park grounds. The National Capital
Region of the National Parks Service is interested in obtaining all of
the composted sludge available. They are quite positive of its assets,
so much so that they plan to begin composting all sludge from portable
toilets at the parks along the C & O Canal which runs between Georgetown
40
-------
in the City and Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Brown stated that the parks
service has been buying top soil, the quality of which leaves something
to be desired. His feeling was that the compost product was far superior
to local top soil. For fertilizer they have been using 10-6-4 or 10-10-10
with lime.
University of Maryland March 23, 1976
Mr. Kehoe, Superintendent of Grounds (202) 454-2822
Physical Plant Department, Operations Division
Mr. Kehoe would recommend using the product at the univeristy, but
stated that there is a health question with the use of composted sewage
sludge, and specified that he did not have final authority on purchasing.
There are 1500 acres for landscaping and 800 acres for plantings at the
university. They use 40 tons of fertilizer a year, using 10-10-10 and
5-10-5.and ammonium nitrate frequently during the summer and watering in
with Milorganite and "Turface11. There is a golf course at the university.
The golf course grounds keeper has been applying digested sludge for years
to condition the greens and fairways. Mr. Kehoe indicated that they
could pick up and would travel 10 miles round trip to do so.
Fairfax County Virginia Parks & March 24, 1976
Recreation Department (703) 941-5000
Jim Brown, Superintendent of Construction
Annandale, Vi rginia
Mr. Brown indicated that so far the county has used 200 cu yd
of composted sewage sludge in void areas as a soil conditioner. The
county has finished a 27 acre landfill, 1-66, using digested sludge from
local treatment plants, then seeding, and is now using it as a ballpark.
There are plans to use digested sludge and composted sewage sludge at a
70 acre site next to the 1-66 landfill. This area will be used for a nursery
and tree spade area for the park authority. There are in excess of 10,000
acres of park land in the county, one half of which is forested. There
are 70 baseball fields and 40 football fields. Mr. Brown was quite
enthusiastic about composted sewage sludge, indicating that the park authority
was anxious to have all they could have. The Fairfax County Health Depart-
ment has ruled that the product can be used anywhere. County trucks are
used on rainy days to go to Beltsville for pick up and delivery. The county
has been using 10-10-10 fertilizer on plantings.
41
-------
APPENDIX E
USER INTERVIEWS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
A survey of users and potential users of soil conditioners was made
in the Los Angeles Area on December 4, 8, 9, and 17, 1975. Kellogg Supply
Company has been buying composted sludge from the Los Angeles County
Sanitation District for some years and has been most successful marketing
the product as "Nitrohumus".
The soil in the area is in need of constant conditioning and the
demand seems high among private citizens as well as commercial potential
users for some sort of conditioner. County and state highway departments
have little need for the product as they contract all of their landscaping
out to commercial firms for the initial design. Because Orange County is
such a resort area and the climate lends itself to year-round planting,
there is much landscaping around commerical as well as private dwellings.
The area has a high growth rate and is one of the fastest developing parts
of the country. Apartment complexes, townhouses and condominiums are a
large portion of the new development taking place. These include large
greenbelt areas where composted sludge could be quite useable.
Locally there seems to be high user acceptance, and beyond that, a
surprising amount of knowledge about composted sludge. Acceptance was
qualified by the cost question, and in one instance, the high salt con-
centration of the product. Users would be willing to pay no more than the
fair market value of other conditioners they are presently using, and
would be willing, in most" instances, to pick up the product if free or
inexpensive enough to justify the trip.
Individual interviews follow:
Park Newport Apartments December 4, 1975
Mr. Gene Jambon, Yards Maintenance (714) 644-2622
Mr. Jambon was familiar with composted sludge as a soil conditioner
and would not hesitate to use it at Park Newport. There are about 20
acres of landscaping with new plantings each year. They would accept
the product free, delivered or not. He would not be able to use it
unpackaged for lack of sufficient storage space. He would travel as far
as 25 miles round trip to pick up the product. He is now paying $2.85
per 4 cu ft for Redwood compost. Mr. Jambon is interested in a sample
of the product.
42
-------
The Irvine Company December 8, 1975
Mr. Jim Peglau
Landscape Operations Administration
Mr. Peglau is very much in favor of using any high organic matter
as a soil conditioner. The soils are poor and he feels they cannot get
enough conditioning. Mr. Peglau would be happy to use all he could get
free, or at a reasonable price. He could use it in bulk or packaged.
The company has used Kellogg's Nitrohumus and City of Milwaukee Milor-
ganite in the past but is not presently using either. The landscaping
involved includes several large shopping centers, several small ones,
several large apartment complexes and several industrial complexes.
All together they estimate about 5 million sq ft of landscaping with
450,000 sq ft more by the end of 1976. All would have annual plantings
and extensive lawn coverage. Mr. Peglau indicated that they would pick
up free sludge anywhere in Orange County. He is very interested in a
sample and would willingly do a pilot study.
Orange County Fairgrounds December 8, 1975
Mr. Jim Porterfield (714) 545-1131
Mr. Porterfield indicated presently they have no use for composted
sludge because they use horse manure from the stables on the grounds.
He did say that there would be no reason for them not to use it should
their manure source be discontinued. There are 80 acres for landscaping
on the grounds including trees, grass and shrubs. In the past they have
used "Turf Grass Care" a commercial lawn booster. They apply a conditioner
2 times a year and would be interested in a sample and would plot results
for the study. He would require a fine screened product.
Newporter Inn & Golf Course December 9, 1975
Bob Slater (714) 644-1700
Mr. Slater was quite familiar with composted sludge, and would be
happy to use it on the 17 acres of golf course and motel landscaping.
He would be able to use bulk or packaged and would be willing to pick
it up with a rental truck at a distance no further than that which would
commence decreasing returns. He would expect to pay less for the composted
sludge than for commercial products. They are now using Turf "N Tee and
Power Gro. They use about 1 ton of soil conditioner 4 times a year and
are continuously dressing the greens. Mr. Slater would welcome a sample
to test, but was rather positive about not using a local sample due to
the high salt concentration.
City of Newport Beach Parks & Recreation December 9, 1975
Department
Mr. Brooks was vaguely familiar with composted sludge, and excited
43
-------
about recycling in general. He therefore, would be very willing to use
the product. Parks and Recreation is presently using sawdust and redwood
compost as soil conditioners. They would be willing to pay what they are
now paying for the soil conditioners they are presently using. If it were
offered free, or extremely inexpensive, they would be willing to pick it
up and go 20 or 30 miles with their own truck. They use about 100 cu yd
per year of conditioner.
State Department of Highways, District 07 December 17, 1975
Mr. James Miller (714) 620-3964
The Department of Highways contracts all of its landscaping out of
the Department to private concerns. For this reason they would have very
little use for the product. Mr. Miller was somewhat familiar with com-
posted sludge, and would not object to using it as a conditioner were
they in the market for such a product. In the Orange County area for
landscaping maintenance the Department uses ammonium sulfate.
44
-------
APPENDIX F
USER INTERVIEWS, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
A survey of users and potential users of composted sewage sludge
was made in the Chicago area on April 5-7, 1976. The Metropolitan Sani-
tary District of Greater Chicago (MSD) encompasses 120 communities, in-
cluding Chicago; serves an area of 860 square miles and 5.5 million people.
Each day its waste treatment plants produce 563 tons of solids. Approxi-
mately 3.5 million tons of air dried sludge have been accumulating in a
landfill in the City for about 40 years. In 1974 the Chicago Tribune
newspaper ran a story on the value of air dried sludge and its availability.
The product was named Nu-Earth. Local municipalities were notified that
MSD would deliver a truckload (28 cu yd) free of charge or people could
then pick up what they needed from local distribution sites. During the
last six months of 1974 some 97,000 cu yd were distributed and in 1975,
213,000 cu yd were distributed.
The soils in the area range from sandy to clayey. Soil conditioners
are essential. There are few parks in the immediate villages or in
the City of Chicago. User acceptance is high on an individual basis.
MSD accepts requests for public use only. They have established distribu-
tion sites in 61 metropolitan area communities. The local municipality
contacts MSD, requests the sludge and MSD delivers to a local distribution
point. The residents pick up what they want from the local distribution
site and take it home for use. Individuals can call MSD directly and have
a truck load delivered to their home. The MSD provides application infor-
mation on request. They do not recommend the product for established
lawns. Most of the residents use Nu-Earth on their flower beds and in
vegetable gardens.
Although the various local municipalities request Nu-Earth for the
distribution points, they generally do not use a significant amount of
the product on public property. This apparently does not indicate any
objection to the product, but rather that either there is no local park,
or there is no regularly planned park maintenance. A program run by the
Department of Human Resources known as the "Mayor's Farm Program" used
1,600-1,800 tons of Nu-Earth in 1975. The area summary of supply and
demand for sewage sludge compost follows:
Supply Tons
Accumulated to date 3,500,000
45
-------
Demand Tons
1974 private citizens 34,600
1975 private citizens 76,000
1975 public use 1,600-1,800
Individual interviews follow:
Oak Lawn Park District April 6, 1976
Mr. Rich Bondreau (312) 599-7474
Oak Lawn, Illinois
The Village of Oak Lawn Park orders a truckload (28 cu yd) about
every 3 days for its distribution site. Citizens come regularly to the
drop off point with garbage cans, plastic containers, baggies, etc. to
take away a supply for their private use. The village does not use it
for the parks. They use commercial fertilizer about once a year. How-
ever, there is no on going park maintenance. Mr. Bondreau said there
was no reason for them not to use the product on park ground, and maybe
at some point they would.
Warren's Nursery April 6, 1976
Mr. Maurice Rosener (312) 974-3000
Payloss Park, Illinois
Mr. Rosener has no objection to the product, although they have no
need for the product in his operation. They have investigated it thoroughly
and it is low in nitrogen for their purposes and too difficult to spread.
This is a nationwide sod growing company with 4,000-4,500 acres involved
in six states. The soils are 60% muck and clay loam at the Chicago area
operation. They use 250-300 Ib of nitrogen per acre per year on the 900
acres locally. Fertilizers include 10-8-4, 12-12-12 and ammonium nitrate.
Bruno Galapte Nursery April 7, 1976
Oaklawn, Illinois (312) 422-6247
Mr. Galapte declined participating in the survey through his secretary.
Crescent Landscape and Nursery April 7, 1976
Mr. Gaelerm (312) 233-4848
Chicago, Illinois
This is a retail operation selling houseplants, potting plants, and
other gardening equipment. They sell milorganite and potting soil bought
locally. Plantings come from local nurseries. Mrs. Gaelerm said they
had looked into the possibility of marketing Nu-Earth but found it un-
desirable for their purposes. It was not bagged, and not the right
consistency.
46
-------
Mr. Vito Ditanio April 7, 1976
Superintendent of Parks (312) 869-5340
Evanston, Illinois
Mr. Ditanio confirmed that Evanston had used three truckloads of
Nu-Earth at a distribution point in the city for residents to come and
take what they wanted. There are 270 acres of landscaping in the city.
Composted sludge has been used to fill in a 17 acre site which was seeded
for grass and is now a park. Otherwise the city spreads manure in the
spring and tills garden plots. They use no commercial products.
Mr. Frank Mazzulla April 7, 1976
Streets Department, Franklin Park (312) 671-4800
Franklin Park, Illinois
Mr. Mazzulla said that to date the village has used 3 truckloads of
Nu-Earth at their distribution point. The local citizens take it home
in assorted containers for their lawns and gardens. The village has
four small parks. They are not presently using Nu-Earth at the park
but he would have no objection to doing so.
Mr. Wayne Resek April 7, 1976
City of North Riverside (312) 447-4211
Rivers ide, IIlinois
Riverside has ordered two truck loads of Nu-Earth for its distribution
point. The product is taken away rapidly by local residents for use in
their yards. The city has not used the product before but is now developing
a park which could generate a need and Mr. Resek indicated there would be
no objection to using it in the park.
Mr. Petrie April 7, 1976
Supervisor Worth Township (312) 758-3330
Worth, Illinois
Mr. Petrie indicated that Worth has had two truckloads delivered for
resident pick up. At this data not all of it has been used. He explained
that this was probably due to two things: (1) On the one hand, they are
located near Oak Park where publicity is high and probably most Worth
residents pick up what they want there; and, (2) On the other hand, he
felt he should do a little more advertising about their site. The town
parks are shared by churches and schools who do the maintenance. Mr.
Petrie did not think Nu-Earth was being used on any of them.
47
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
i. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/2-77-096
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE ANDSUBTITLE
USER ACCEPTANCE OF WASTEWATER SLUDGE COMPOST
5. REPORT DATE
August 1977 (Issuing Date)
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AgTHOR(S)
William F. Ettlich and Anne E. Lewis
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Culp/Wesner/Culp-Clean Water Consultants
Box 40
El Dorado Hills, California 95630
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO. 1BC611,
AP C611B, SOS #1, Task 11
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-03-2186 (Task 05)
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory -cin., OH
Office of Research and Development
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/14
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
This study has the overall objective of determining user acceptance of waste-
water sludge compost. The work scope involved visits to several composting and
composting distribution operations, extensive literature review and interviews with
users in several metropolitan areas. Existing and past compost and sludge product
distribution operations were analyzed to determine the characteristics of the suc-
cessful operations and the factors that may have led to lack of success or failure
of others.
Results of the study indicate that demand already exists for wastewater sludge
compost in certain metropolitan areas and that this demand was developed by implement
ing a planned program. Similar wastewater sludge product distribution operations hare
failed in the past because of high pricing or poorly planned programs. Factors are
developed in this study which should help to assure development of successful
distribution operations. A broad characterization of user requirements and desires
was developed based on user interviews.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COS AT I Field/Group
Composts, Sludge, Sludge disposal,
Di stributing
Wastewater sludge,
User acceptance
Compost distribution
13B
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
UNCLASSIFIED
56
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
48
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977— 757-O56/8477
------- |