Orange County NC Website
What are biosolids and why are they recycled? <br />Biosolids are the solids separated from wastewater then <br />treated at our WWTP. Biosolids can be recycled to improve <br />soil because biosolids include phosphorus and nitrogen, <br />which improve the fertility of soil; and other organic matter <br />which holds moisture in the soil and improves its structure. <br />Our WWTP produces about 4.4 "dry tons" of biosolids per <br />day. IA dry ton is the weight of solids without considering the <br />weight of water that remains with biosolids after they are <br />farmers. The other half of our biosolids are dewatered and <br />mixed with other organic material at a private composting facility. <br />What State and Federal regulations apply to biosolids? <br />Federal and State regulations limitthe levels of various metals <br />in biosolids, and the rates at which biosolids can be put on <br />farmland to help grow crops for animal consumption. The <br />amount of biosolids that can be applied to a field depends on <br />the nitrogen level in the biosolids and ability of a crop to use <br />nitrogen. Our biosolids are tested for bacteria, phosphorus, <br />• Solids are removed in settling tanks; <br />• Bacteria and other microorganisms consume pollutants; <br />• We use filters to remove very small particles not removed in settling tanks; <br />• Ultraviolet light disinfects the wastewater; and <br />• We add oxygen to benefit fish and amphibians in waterways receiving <br />treated wastewater. <br />Some treated wastewater is used for non - drinking purposes via our reclaimed water <br />system. Most treated wastewater is recycled at Morgan Creek near Finley Golf <br />Course. Morgan Creek flows to Jordan Lake, a water supply for several communi- <br />ties in the region. OWASA has a State allocation of Jordan Lake water for severe <br />droughts and operational emergencies. <br />We maintain 340 <br />of sanitary sewers and <br />2.1 1where we pump <br />wastewater uphill, but most of <br />our sewers operate with <br />the simple force of gravity. <br />