THE FUTURE OF SLUDGE DISPOSAL? Anthony Pilawski Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals NJ Department of Environmental Protection P.O. Box 420 Trenton, NJ Phone:

New Jersey Residuals Management – 1983

New Jersey Residuals Management

Sludge Management Impacts of Sandy Estimated that about 130 domestic treatment works lost sludge management alternative – 20 percent of total sludge production (about 130 dry metric tons/day) Sewerage Authorities step up – increasing or starting customer acceptance programs NJDEP expedites requests for increased processing capacity NJDEP initiates calls to PA, NY and CT for available sludge capacity Most displaced sludge was generated North of I-195 and was ultimately managed North of I-195

Future - Capacity concerns? In 1987, there were 32 permitted sewage sludge management operations in New Jersey By 2013, there are only 18 permitted sewage sludge management operations in New Jersey No new permit in more than a decade / aging sludge management infrastructure Barriers: Cost, NIMBY, Regulations (local, state, federal)? Asset Management

Statewide Sludge Management Plan Policy o Encourage beneficial use whenever possible o Prohibit direct landfilling of sewage sludge except in an emergency o Landfill cover uses constitute beneficial use o Thermal reduction is an integral and necessary part of the State’s sewage sludge management strategy Planning o Remains largely the responsibility of domestic treatment works except in Burlington County where the County assumed responsibility o All NJPDES permits require planning for anticipated downtimes at selected sludge management site: either through storage or other alternative arrangements