Assessing the Benefits & Costs of Biosolids Management Options Thinking outside the fence When you hear the words Biosolids Management Plan do you think? B-O-R-I-N-G.Traditionally, a Biosolids Management Plan starts out by looking at other studies that have been done and describing the existing situation. This is followed by developing a long list of all the possible alternatives and comparing these alternatives to a baseline scenario. This comparison usually looks at factors that affect life inside the wastewater treatment plant fence. The plan would attempt to answer management and staff questions like:How difficult is it to operate?Is it reliable?How soon can we implement the alternative?What are the permitting requirements?What are the recordkeeping and reporting requirements?What are the capital, operating and maintenance costs?Once the long list has been whittled down to just a few options, a financial analysis is conducted. This considers only direct costs to the agency such as: "What will be our cash outlay" and "what will we have to charge the sewer users?" However, if we are considering the full cost benefits of biosolids management alternatives, we would perform an economic analysis.There is an important distinction between a financial analysis and an economic analysis. An economic analysis takes into account a wider range of benefits and costs of a project from all perspectives, including the customer and society as a whole. These can include direct benefits such as avoided cost of landfill disposal as well as non market benefits and costs such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon.Why is economic analysis appropriate for biosolids management projects? Biosolids disposal or reuse typically produces a wide range of direct and indirect benefits to society. Many of these benefits may not be fully appreciated in part because the benefits are applied to groups or resources outside the fence. The following table provides some examples of indirect benefits Alternative Landfill Disposal Beneficiary Landfill OwnerBenefit- Enhance methane recovery
- Improved lechate quality
- Increased revenues
Alternative Agricultrual UseBeneficiary Farmer Benefit Free nutrients and organic matterAlternative Ag Use and Reclamation Beneficiary Downstream Water ConsumersBenefit Improved water quality due to erosion control, Nutrient management planning, maintaining riparian buffers, and reduced acid mine drainageAlternative Reclamation Beneficiary WildlifeBenefit Improved wildlife habitat, stream water quality and fishery valueAlternative Reclamation Beneficiary Land OwnerBenefit Return land to productive useAlternative Reclamation Beneficiary Regional PopulationBenefit Carbon sequestration, reduced greenhouse gas emissionsAlternative Reclamation Beneficiary Local IndustryBenefit Carbon equivalents, tradable credits? Economic developmentAlternative Incineration Beneficiary NeighborsBenefit Minimize number of trucks on the roadAlternative Incineration with Energy Recovery Beneficiary Electric/Gas ProvidersBenefit Supplement energy generating capability, reduce peak demandAlternative Incineration/Drying with Heat Recovery Beneficiary Regional PopulationBenefit Reduced demand for fossil fuelsAnother innovative approach for biosolids management planning relates to creating marketable products. Very often, we hear about a new process that produces a Class A product that can be either given away or sold. It may be true that the process destroys pathogens, odors, reduces the weight and volume and changes the appearance. But what is the most needy, most lucrative market locally? If we are thinking outside the fence, we would be doing reverse engineering. Starting with the market demand, we would identify desirable characteristics of the marketable product, and then develop or identify the processing required to meet that demand.Finally, the planning process should involve a wide variety of stakeholders. These stakeholders should include not only rate payers and neighbors outside the fence, but community and environmental groups who will share in the benefits. Watershed associations are often very interested in opportunities to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Trout Unlimited and Pheasants Forever are often supporters of biosolids recycling. County Conservation Districts and PADEP can provide us with a wealth of information on market needs and locally available resources. These stakeholders should be involved before the plan is completed. In the past, it was common practice to hold a public meeting, however, the typical result was that noone showed up. We cant expect people to come to our party if they aren't familiar with us. An often successful alternative approach is to attend their meetings or participate in their activities so that we can begin to identify common goals. It may be time consuming, but it is an effective way to identify the full range of costs and benefits. |
