Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6. Estimated 20 -year capital equipment and capital improvements costs are considerably <br />higher for options involving dewatering 50% or more of our biosolids, as conveyance and <br />loading improvements will be needed at our existing dewatering building. Options <br />involving land application of dewatered biosolids have even higher capital costs because a <br />new off -site dewatered biosolids storage facility will be needed. <br />Recommended Next Steps <br />There are near -term opportunities to improve our biosolids recycling program, but we can maintain <br />our existing program approach if the Board of Directors would like to take additional time to <br />determine the best course of action for long -term management of our biosolids considering our <br />biosolids management objectives. In addition, if the Board determines that it has adequate <br />information to modify the existing program, it would take time to design, permit, and construct <br />any capital facilities as well as provide adequate notice to the farmers currently in our biosolids <br />program. Therefore, the following next steps are recommended: <br />1. Staff provide any additional information needed by Board to determine the preferred path <br />forward for biosolids management. <br />2. Inform farmers participating in our program and other stakeholders that we will continue <br />our current biosolids management program approach for at least the next two fiscal years. <br />This will provide additional time for evaluation of our options, selection of the preferred <br />option, and, if applicable, hire additional staff and /or design and implement any <br />improvements required to implement the selected option. If the Board of Directors agrees, <br />this will be reflected in the preparation of the annual budgets for Fiscal Years 2017 and <br />2018. <br />3. Prepare and issue a Request for Proposals for liquid biosolids management contract <br />services needed to supplement OWASA management of liquid biosolids for the next two <br />years. <br />4. Remove the Biosolids Management Report Part 2 approval from the Board of Directors' <br />12 -month schedule and obtain the Board's guidance regarding scheduling of future <br />evaluation of alternatives and possible community engagement activities, if desired. <br />Page iii <br />1.5 <br />