2011 Issue

36 sustainability principles currently used by private industry in maximizing financial revenue by product quality investments (i.e., total quality management) could be adopted. For example, if the treatment plants modified its perspective of residuals man- agement to include a goal of generating and marketing a high quality fertilizer, the decision-making framework would change from simply compliance driven solutions to maximizing financial revenue for the facility and a reduction in cost to rate payers. A successful example of this sustainable approach to residu- als management is the production of MilorganiteTM fertilizer, which has resulted in significant revenue generation for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Use of Modeling in Product Certification Because of the growing costs of product certification through laboratory and field testing, validated models may be utilized to assist treatment plants in predicting product performance. For example, if a treatment plant desired to take full advantage of the fertilizer value of its residuals, the actual benefits of the product to the consumer would require site specific testing and analysis. Fortunately, there are a number of free scientifically validated models developed by the USEPA that can be applied to predict the potential impacts of fertilizer application on local air and water quality. The Multimedia, Multipathway and Multireceptor Risk Assessment (3MRA) model is one such model that can track the fate and transport of fertilizer microconstituents for a range of fertilizer products. Since execution of 3MRA is data intensive, the Utah State University (USU) biosolids research team has constructed a simple yet scientifically defensible methodology for supporting the use of biosolids-based fertilizers. The meth- odology, named the Risk Characterization and Screening Tool (RCST), utilizes the computational framework of 3MRA without the need to furnish quantitative values for the over 700 param- eters needed to execute 3MRA. Although the RCST was designed to specifically evaluate the potential impact of biosolids-derived fertilizer on groundwater quality, recent improvements to the decision-support software allows treatment plants product manufacturers to simulate the fate and transport of fertilizer microconstituents across all me- dia (i.e., air, water and soil). The new simulation tool, termed the Biosolids Risk Indicator Characterization System (BRICS), allows treatment plants to utilize either default parameter values that currently reside within 3MRA or to use their own site specific data to simulate the potential impact of their products on the environment. Conclusions The sustainability paradigm shift at treatment plants requires the outputs fromwastewater treatment facilities to be viewed as manufactured products. Focus on product quality, clean water, fertilizer and energy and competitive pricing will lead to more creative management options. In the case of biosolids-derived fertilizer, land application is a technically viable alternative for which treatment plants and its customers would derive significant financial benefit. A number of modeling tools recently developed including the RCST and the BRICS allow biosolids decision- makers to rapidly use site specific data to evaluate the potential impact of fertilizer microconstituents on environmental quality. The use of independently validated models helps to mitigate concerns regarding potential human health and/or environmental risks associated with the fertilizer products. Finally, the symbolic transformation of treatment plants from simply compliance driven treatment operations to commercial product manufacturers lies at the root of sustainable wastewater management. This paradigm shift opens a myriad of opportuni- ties to establish quality management approaches at treatment plants to increase financial revenue and to lower operational costs. The development of cost effective methods to certify treatment plants product quality will continue to grow. Applica- tion of computer simulation models represents one such method that has been successfully applied to quantify the potential en- vironmental impact of biosolids-derived fertilizer application. Mr. Kumarasamy is a PhD candidate in environmental engineering from Utah State University. He works in the area of beneficial use and management of biosolids, and also worked at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India and at M2 Group, Inc. Dr. McFarland is a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University. Dr. McFarland received Masters and PhD degrees from Cornell University. Mr. Bhayani, alumnus of Universities of Bombay, Mumbai, India, and Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, is affiliated with the Utah Division of Water Quality. Dr. McFarland and Mr. Bhayani are registered professional engineers, and Diplomates of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Water / Wastewater Treatment - Conveyance / Storage - Water Quality / Watershed Management - Groundwater Development - Program Management - Construction Management - Act Globally Think Locally 10619 South Jordan Gateway, Suite 100 | Salt Lake City, UT 84095 801.617.3200 | www.mwhglobal.com Kumarasamy McFarland Bhayani