Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to modify and renew a contract with Suburban Sales & Services, L.P. for Offsite Biosolids Anaerobic Digestion through December 31, 2027.
The City of Columbus operates a composting facility that processes sewage sludge from two interconnected wastewater treatment plants into soil conditioner / mulch for wholesale. The City of Columbus Composting Facility has goals to reduce the amount of waste products going to landfills. In pursuit of these goals The City of Columbus Compost Facility has partnerships with other sustainable focused facilities in the area including the offsite anaerobic digester owned and operated by Suburban Sales & Services, L.P.
The offsite anaerobic digester was constructed via a public-private partnership between 2006 and 2009 as a means of redirecting organic materials from SWACO landfills and providing a reliable outlet for City Water Reclamation Facility biosolids and City of Columbus fats, oils, and greases (FOG). The facility employs three permanent and four seasonal jobs. It is the only waste grease and food waste receiving anaerobic digester in Franklin County. The facility redirects organics that would otherwise degrade to methane in a landfill and contribute to human caused global warming through unmitigated methane production. City produced biosolids are a key feedstock to keep the offsite digester functional and within acceptable operating parameters.
This outlet currently accounts for an average 15-20% of the City’s biosolids on a wet ton basis and has been integral to operations since its inception nearly two decades prior. The digester is located only 0.5 miles from the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant. Transport of the City’s biosolids is performed by the Compost Facility’s operational staff. The minimal travel distance saves on costs of labor and equipment wear and tear while maximizing the number of loads which can be disposed in ...
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