Utilizing Biosolids Marketing to Improve Your Bottom Line
Encina Water Pollution Control Facility
Crisis – Strategy – Management
EWA in Fiscal Year 2001 Influent of 22.4 MGD Class B biosolids Belt filter presses Land application in Riverside County $645,000 for biosolids disposal
One Year Later……. Riverside County Class B ban Energy crisis $1 Million for biosolids disposal Belt presses at end of useful life 5 Trailers per day, 7 days a week Yuma, Arizona – 400 mile round trip 730,000 transportation miles/year 267% Increase from FY 2001 – FY 2008
Biosolids Annual Hauling Costs
Biosolids Strategic Plan Long-term biosolids strategy Pursue heat drying treatment to achieve Class A EQ biosolids Assess potential markets for granular product
Biosolids Strategic Plan Implementation Phase V design 2006 – Construction commences Biosolids Management Plan 2009 – Heat dryer online
BMP Development Process 1. Market assessment 2. Evaluation of reuse/disposal options 3. Cost analysis 4. Product management scenarios 5. Diversified portfolio
Diversified Portfolio Tier I Biofuel Contract agriculture Landfill Tier II Fertilizer distributors Soil blenders Specialty agriculture Golf course/turf/sod Local communities Research & demonstrations
BMP – Tier 1 Execution Alternative fuel contract with CEMEX One trailer a day, 5 days a week Victorville, California miles round trip 67,500 transportation miles/year 222,133 in net transportation costs in FY 2012 Back-up contracts for land application and landfill disposal
Green House Gas Emissions
Tier II Execution Learn your product Nitrogen/phosphorous/potassium Micro and secondary nutrients Iron/calcium/zinc/magnesium Low salt index Low heavy metals High water holding capacity(WHC) Pathogen content (frequent testing) Educate your executive team, operations staff and potential customers
PureGreen Analysis
Develop a Marketing Plan
Research Your Ag Market Contact your local Farm Bureau Top 10 local crops/nurseries/sod & turf farms/golf courses What type of soil is in the area? Research your potential customers Who cannot use PureGreen? a) Leafy Green Partnership & OMRI certified farms
Lessons Learned Biosolids have tremendous value so have confidence in your product Develop and promote your brand name Diversification opens new windows of opportunities Blending with other nutrients greatly increases the value of the product Blended & bagged products reduce odor and reheating issues Find a Tier II partner or partners who has similar goals Start research projects
Think Like a Private Company Lab testing during the production process/quality of product is crucial Know federal, State & local regulations concerning Class A EQ product Logistics/flexible hauling is a must Allocate required staff Develop contacts
Develop a Customer Presentation Package Use 3 rd party nutrient analysis NANI report (heavy metals) State fertilizer label and registration MSDS Waiver agreement Pertinent research Hand deliver product and information
Annual Hauling Costs
Five Year Audited Performance Holding the Line
Eric M Have PureGreen Sales & Marketing Encina Wastewater Authority