January 29, 1998
To: Works and Utilities Committee
From: M.G. Thorne
Interim Functional Lead for Water/Wastewater Operations
Subject: Biosolids Demonstration Facility -
Harbour Remediation & Transfer Inc.
Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At its meeting held on January 14, 1998, when dealing with Clause No. 1 of Report No. 1, Biosolids Demonstration Facility - Harbour Remediation & Transfer Inc., the Works and Utilities Committee deferred consideration of this matter, with a request that the appropriate staff submit a report to the next meeting on the status of the project, and on further demonstration projects, which move towards 100 per cent diversion of biosolids from incineration.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
We have signed the Amended Agreement with HR&T that was attached to Clause No. 1 of Report No. 13 of the Environment and Public Space Committee approved by Metro Council at its meeting of December 10 and 18, 1997.
The consultant engaged by HR&T to characterize the odours and odour sources last fall has been engaged to design and install the new odour control facilities. Until these facilities are installed, no biosolids will be shipped to HR&T. The only exception to this condition would be to test possible odour equipment or unless full scale operation is required to assist in the design of the new system. Such operation would be short in duration and all precautions would be taken to reduce and control the impact on the community. If testing is required, prior notification to the local councillors and the community will be undertaken.
It is anticipated that the fully designed system will be in place by July, 1998, for full operation.
As part of the Main Treatment Plant Environmental Assessment (MTPEA), an assessment of biosolids management alternatives was undertaken to:
(a) determine the preferred strategy for meeting future solids treatment needs in the Main Treatment Plant service area; and
(b) address public concerns regarding incineration.
The assessment identified four (4) alternatives to incineration; they were, direct land application, alkaline stabilization, thermal drying and composting. It recommended demonstrating these alternatives before moving into full scale operation in order to ensure:
(1) reliability and diversity of end use markets;
(2) regulatory acceptance and compliance;
(3) public acceptance; and
(4) economic viability.
We have two demonstration projects, one which covers direct land applications - Terratec Environmental Limited, and one which covers alkaline stabilization - Harbour Remediation and Transfer Inc. Each project is diverting 10,000 dry tonnes of solids from the incineration process at the Main Treatment Plant.
The following plan has been proposed for the demonstration of the thermally dried and the composted alternatives.
1. A Toronto Biosolids Management and Implementation plan will be formally initiated to chart the next steps in demonstration projects to achieve 100 per cent biosolids utilization;
2. A public workshop will be held in the Spring of 1998 for all interested stakeholders, including industry representatives, to discuss ideas regarding the development of demonstration projects for a composted product and a thermally dried product;
3. Following the workshop, a draft strategy document for further biosolids utilization will be issued for public comment in the summer of 1998;
4. Upon completion of the strategy document, an Expression of Interest will be issued to the marketplace to obtain preliminary cost estimates and confirm the scope of the project with interested suppliers. A report will be forwarded to Committee and Council outlining estimated costs and confirmation of the terms of reference for a Request For Proposals (RFP).
5. Subsequent to approval to proceed, an RFP will be issued to engage the marketplace in the identification of the appropriate technologies, markets and associated costs. After evaluation of the proposals, a recommendation will be made to Committee and Council; and
6. Approval for these two demonstration projects will be sought from Committee and Council early 199l.
Conclusion:
We will continue to work with HR&T to ensure that the odour control equipment will resolve their odour problems, and to allow the alkaline stabilization process to be adequately demonstrated.
In addition, we will move forward a the plan, as described, to demonstrate the two other alternatives identified in the Main Treatment Plant Environmental Assessment: composting and thermal drying.
Contact Name:
Mr. R. M. Pickett, Director, Water Pollution Control, Telephone No. (416) 392-8230, Fax No. 397-0908, and e-mail bob_pickett@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca.
M. G. Thorne, P.Eng. Barry Gutteridge
Commissioner of Works Acting Executive Commissioner
rmp:mm/mtro
hr&tagr.W&U
