Does the Oak Lodge Sanitary District wastewater treatment plant produce “biosolids”, and what is this product?
The Oak Lodge Sanitary District wastewater treatment plant produces a Class B Biosolids product that is suitable for spreading on pastures and farmland. Biosolids are a perfect soil enhancer for the heavy clay type soil prevalent in this area. District biosolids are distributed in rural Clackamas County on DEQ approved sites. There are specific regulations, enforced by the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), regarding uses of land on which biosolids have been spread, and the use of animals that have grazed on pastures which have been fertilized with biosolids. Before biosolids can be applied to any site, that site must be inspected and approved by DEQ. District staff annually reports all applications of biosolids to DEQ, including a map of each site with the report. The biosolids produced at the District’s wastewater treatment plant is a cake product. It is produced from digested biosolids that have been dewatered using a polymer product and filtering processes.
