MONROE - The Monroe Board of Public Works has approved a pilot study for the proposed Food Waste Recycling Program in an effort to see if the city can meet new phosphorous limitations set in place by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources without costly additions to the wastewater treatment plant.
In a measure to reduce phosphorous, the excess food removed from waste lines could possibly eliminate the need for improvements totaling $3 million to $4 million; changes that would require a rate increase to residents' bills. If successful, the department hopes to be able to eliminate 20 percent of total annual garbage going into the landfill and gain another energy source through methane produced from the food composting.
Initial testing would include 36 homes on the southwest side of the city. In order to test their small sample system the city has plans to provide residents with an additional 35-gallon bin to use solely for food-waste trash rather than including it in the regular garbage or pushing it through the garbage disposal. If they choose to be active participants, the residents would be provided with a waiver on their second-quarter garbage bill in 2016.
Public Works Director Colin Simpson said food waste is a large contributor to higher levels of phosphorous in the water supply. The recycling initiative had been planned after the DNR announced upcoming limitations that require 0.75 percent phosphorous levels rather than the current rate of 1 percent.
When water is filtered out of wastewater treatment plants, it eventually enters streams and other bodies of water. The DNR has implemented the requirement of lower phosphorous because the amount can determine how much algae grows and in turn affects public health.
There are three types of effluent phosphorous within the treatment plant: non-soluble, soluble/reactive and soluble/non-reactive. The reactive and non-soluble are easily removed through filtration and biological means, but the third poses a challenge because of its non-reactive composition.
"Our wastewater plant is running as efficiently as possible," Simpson said.
The non-reactive phosphorous accounts for more than 90 percent of the water leaving the plant. Simpson said that recycling food waste should dramatically reduce phosphorous levels and bring with it the bonus of less funding needed for garbage removal. However, he said the need for public education is high in order to make sure the program works. Otherwise, the millions of dollars to improve the plant to accommodate new regulations would have to be spent.
Simpson said beginning in the first quarter of 2016, bins already owned by the city will be brought out and affixed with new green lids to them. Food-waste pickup would be in addition to recycling and garbage removal for the limited households during the test period. Plans include notes to be made by the driver every few houses in order to keep track of how much waste is thrown out. The board allowed $1,600 for expenses to be given toward the program.
In a measure to reduce phosphorous, the excess food removed from waste lines could possibly eliminate the need for improvements totaling $3 million to $4 million; changes that would require a rate increase to residents' bills. If successful, the department hopes to be able to eliminate 20 percent of total annual garbage going into the landfill and gain another energy source through methane produced from the food composting.
Initial testing would include 36 homes on the southwest side of the city. In order to test their small sample system the city has plans to provide residents with an additional 35-gallon bin to use solely for food-waste trash rather than including it in the regular garbage or pushing it through the garbage disposal. If they choose to be active participants, the residents would be provided with a waiver on their second-quarter garbage bill in 2016.
Public Works Director Colin Simpson said food waste is a large contributor to higher levels of phosphorous in the water supply. The recycling initiative had been planned after the DNR announced upcoming limitations that require 0.75 percent phosphorous levels rather than the current rate of 1 percent.
When water is filtered out of wastewater treatment plants, it eventually enters streams and other bodies of water. The DNR has implemented the requirement of lower phosphorous because the amount can determine how much algae grows and in turn affects public health.
There are three types of effluent phosphorous within the treatment plant: non-soluble, soluble/reactive and soluble/non-reactive. The reactive and non-soluble are easily removed through filtration and biological means, but the third poses a challenge because of its non-reactive composition.
"Our wastewater plant is running as efficiently as possible," Simpson said.
The non-reactive phosphorous accounts for more than 90 percent of the water leaving the plant. Simpson said that recycling food waste should dramatically reduce phosphorous levels and bring with it the bonus of less funding needed for garbage removal. However, he said the need for public education is high in order to make sure the program works. Otherwise, the millions of dollars to improve the plant to accommodate new regulations would have to be spent.
Simpson said beginning in the first quarter of 2016, bins already owned by the city will be brought out and affixed with new green lids to them. Food-waste pickup would be in addition to recycling and garbage removal for the limited households during the test period. Plans include notes to be made by the driver every few houses in order to keep track of how much waste is thrown out. The board allowed $1,600 for expenses to be given toward the program.