Sludge Watch ==> Bristol Virginia - scraps sludge compost - spreads the more pathogenic stuff

[Maureen Reilly]

"The $450,000 annual savings is primarily because of putting the compost 
system "on standby" and dispose of biosolids on permitted land sites."

"The $450,000 annual savings is primarily because of putting the compost 
system "on standby" and dispose of biosolids on permitted land sites."

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http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-06-14-0009.html

Both Bristols approve new wastewater plant operators and reap savings

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - 12:20 AM
BRISTOL, Va. – A switch in operators of the Twin City’s wastewater treatment 
plant is expected to generate a considerable savings.

On Wednesday, the Bristol Virginia Utilities Board of Directors unanimously 
approved a contract with Severn Trent Environmental Services of Houston, 
Texas.

The Bristol Tennessee City Council and Joint Sewer Oversight Committees 
previously approved the contract. The two cities agree to pay a combined 
$2.1 million annually and expect to save a combined $2.2 million over the 
five-year term.

"We went through the request for proposals process and got three bids," said 
Wes Rosenbalm, president of BVU. "Only two firms qualified – the current 
operators Veolia [Water] and Severn Trent. And they [Severn] were 
considerably cheaper."

Both Bristols share ownership of the wastewater treatment plant, located off 
Beaver Creek Road in Tennessee.

The BVU approval is the final step and the new operators are scheduled to 
take over July 1.

The $450,000 annual savings is primarily because of putting the compost 
system "on standby" and dispose of biosolids on permitted land sites.

BVU plans to divide its savings between plant upkeep and improving the 
city’s sewer system, Rosenbalm said.

"In recent years, the utilization of the compost system has been less than 
20 percent of the biosolids disposal solution," Bristol Tennessee Deputy 
City Manager Bill Sorah wrote in a memo to the City Council.

In addition to the treatment plant, Severn Trent will take over the 
industrial monitoring program and sewage lift station management. Bristol 
Tennessee will pay the nearly $200,000 annual lift station management fee.

dmcgee at bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532