Land Application Workshop Offers New Opportunities to Better Control Disposal Options

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The National Association of Wastewater Transporters has spent the last five years training individuals to dewater septage and grease trap waste to better control their disposal options and expenses. Since most dewatered septage is land-applied for beneficial use, NAWT has partnered with the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association, the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association, Pennsylvania Water Environment Association, Pennsylvania Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association and the PennAg Industries Association to sponsor a Land Application Demonstration Workshop, June 22-23, at the Hotel Carlisle in Carlisle, Pa. The seminar also will be helpful for those considering building a privately owned treatment plant with beneficial reuse of biosolids. The registration form is at www.nawt.org.

 

PASSING THE TORCH

The NAWT Executive Administrator Search Committee received five requests for proposals and selected COLE Publishing in Three Lakes, Wis. As the committee’s name implies, we are replacing the executive director position with an executive administrator to manage the organization and answer your calls to the NAWT office at 800/236-6298. The committee will meet weekly with COLE representatives to learn our culture and mindset. We’re excited about the change. COLE certainly knows the industry, has its best interests at heart, and brings many strengths to the table, which will help take the association to the next level.

For example, COLE has the ability to expand membership, thereby increasing the number of professionals representing our industry and elevating the association’s legitimacy in the eyes of other agencies. Professionals are well educated, so one of NAWT’s goals is to push harder on our education and training programs. One option is online classes, but our trainers have a hard time with that concept. COLE, however, is willing to explore it. We know how difficult it is for pumpers to leave their trucks and travel to classes. Besides the time away from business, travel is expensive. Webinars solve those problems.

I will remain NAWT’s secretary and work on committees as a board member. Stepping back a little will enable me to focus my strengths on where they will do the most good, specifically on the Waste Treatment Symposium and Education committees. In parting, I thank everyone for their support and help along the way, and wish COLE the greatest of success. I believe it is time to fasten our seat belts, because the association is about to take off.

2011 LAND APPLICATION WORKSHOP AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Registration and coffee

Introduction to 503 Regulations and Pennsylvania Requirements: A state Department of Environmental Protection agent will talk about the land application program (biosolids and septage) and how the agency administers or implements it.

Treating and Handling Sewage Sludge and Septage Before Application: Robin Brandt, agricultural engineer at Pennsylvania State University, will discuss how to determine site suitability.

Lunch: Guest speaker Wayne Schutz, assistant manager at Derry Township, Pa., Municipal Authority, will describe their successful Class A biosolids program that includes a septage receiving station and generating usable energy from grease trap waste. An overview of Thursday’s field trip follows.

Shippensburg (Pa.) Facility Operations: Rob Minan, PennAg Industries Associates, and Charlie Marshall, farmer and attorney, will discuss odor reduction efforts, site concerns, and reporting.

Live Application Demonstration: Lime-stabilized septage and Class A biosolids.

Social evening: network and visit with vendors.

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

Treatment Facility Basics: Tom Ferrero, NAWT executive director, will cover screening, controlling odors, recordkeeping (pH calculations), and more.

Soil and Site Characteristics (Soil Survey Applications): Stefan Weaver, soil scientist with Material Matters Inc., will talk about endangered species and other concerns.

Choosing a Site (Crops, Setbacks, Application Methods): Balancing crop needs and application rates, soil testing.

Loading Rates and Records: Aaron Stephens, agronomist with Material Matters, will continue the discussion on crop selection.

Field Trip: Derry Township Municipal Authority, Hershey, Pa., box lunch on coach. Return to hotel.



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