BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT 2018 – STATE SUMMARY

Article Reference: National Biosolids Data Project
In Florida…
  • Most wastewater solids (sewage sludges) are treated to make biosolids and are applied to
    soils. In 2018, about half were treated to the highest quality standard, a special “Class AA”
    designation under Florida regulations, and distributed and marketed as fertilizer. About a
    quarter were Class B biosolids applied to soils at permitted sites. The remaining biosolids went
    to landfill, except for ~0.4% that was burned at waste-to-energy facilities.
  • Class AA biosolids have been distributed and used with few further restrictions, making them
    flexible fertilizer and soil amendment products in the general marketplace. The amount of
    Exceptional Quality (EQ) Class AA biosolids produced in Florida has been increasing over the
    past decade.
  • Biosolids beneficial use on soils – i.e. Class B land application – has created increasing concerns
    amongst the public and lawmakers because of malodors and other nuisances and potential
    impacts of biosolids-borne phosphorus (P) on surface water quality. This led to law and
    regulation revisions that became effective in June 2021 and may reduce biosolids beneficial
    use in the Sunshine State in the coming years.

Read More