Description of DCI Role: Design, Operations, Monitoring
Project Team Leader(s): Ron Duckworth, Jerry Cole, Joe Reitberger
Project Cost: Confidential
Time Period of Project Work: 1995 to 2008
Client: DuPont/Invista Victoria Texas Plant
Project Description
DCI personnel assisted the Invista (formerly DuPont) Victoria, Texas, facility in the design, permitting, establishment, operation, and monitoring of a 200-acre land application program to beneficially reuse biosolids produced from an industrial biological wastewater treatment plant.
The design of the Land Application Project (LAP) focused on meeting DuPont's goals for environmental stewardship and cost efficiency while satisfying Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements for beneficial reuse. DuPont's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permit included the option to land apply biological wastewater treatment plant residuals pending program approval by the TCEQ. Project managers Ron Duckworth and Jerry Cole developed a document entitled Notice of Initiation of Beneficial Land Application at DuPont Victoria Plant (Notice) and assisted DuPont in negotiating its acceptance by TCEQ. The Notice contained sections describing the Land Application Areas (LAAs), data on biosolids composition, management methods, site conditions, the proposed monitoring program, water balance information, and reporting and closure requirements.
DCI managed all aspects of the beneficial reuse program. Soil conditions permitting, biosolids were transported to the fields daily and surface-applied then incorporated by disking or injected below the soil surface. The target biosolids loading rate was based on biosolids composition, particularly nitrogen, and the agronomic needs of the Jiggs Bermudagrass crop. Hay was harvested in 21- to 28-day intervals. The hay was packaged into round bales 6 ft high by 4 ft wide for ease of transporting.
The monitoring program included monthly biosolids analyses, annual soils analyses, and analyses of each hay cutting. GPS coordinates of each biosolids application and the location of each soil sample were recorded. Biosolids and soils analytical results were reviewed to ensure compliance with the Notice. Results of hay analyses were used to determine the best end use for the hay and were provided to hay customers.
DCI was responsible for marketing the very high-quality hay. Almost all of the hay was donated to non-profit organizations. Such recipients included a camp for handicapped children, horse rescue facilities, a therapeutic riding center, and a zoo. These donations brought substantial public relations benefits and donation value to Invista. A small portion of the hay crop was sold to reclamation contractors or used for onsite erosion control. DCI transported the hay to most end users.
The LAP received a DuPont 2002 Sustainable Growth award.