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REPORT TO ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS : <br />April 1, 1991 <br />Wastewater Treatment <br />Recently completed major improvements to the Mason Farm <br />Wastewater Treatment Plant . . . <br />OWASA's patented process for removing phosphorus has been <br />permanently installed . . . consistently producing an effluent <br />with less than 1 part per million phosphorus. The process is <br />entirely biological, and requires no addition of expensive <br />chemicals. The resulting sludge contains higher amounts of <br />phosphorus than before . . . hence, the copyrighted name <br />"Nutrified Sludge." In .response to numerous inquiries from <br />across the country and around the world, OWASA is currently <br />testing the market for this patented process. <br />Our sludge program ("Agricultural Nutrients Recycling Program ") <br />continues to be successful and popular with farmers in Orange <br />County. We continue to receive inquiries and requests for <br />nutrified sludge as a valuable fertilizer and soil supplement. <br />Under the new OWASA process, phosphorus and nitrogen in the <br />sludge is higher than before, making it even more attractive as a <br />commercial fertilizer substitute. <br />Speaking of recycling, another improvement at the wastewater <br />Plant has been the installation of a .large air compressor powered <br />by methane, which is produced -in the treatment process. Using <br />this "waste material" as a fuel substantially reduces our <br />electrical consumption at the wastewater plant.- Another <br />recycling function was the installation of equipment to use <br />treated wastewater — instead of potable water — to cool and <br />lubricate bearings on large pumps at the plant. <br />The treatment plant is receiving more and more loads of septage, <br />as more and more citizens become aware of the need to pump their <br />septic tanks regularly. <br />And most importantly, the Mason Farm Wastewater Plant continues <br />to meet all water quality standards for Morgan Creek and Jordan <br />Lake. <br />