While pumping sludge out of its wastewater treatment plant last week, the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District (GSBSD) discovered much more of the rank – and expensive – waste product than expected.
The Sanitary District initially estimated the amount of sludge at 80 dry tons, Wastewater Division Manager LeeAnna Hutchings said. The actual amount appears closer to 200-300 dry tons, due to the density of the sludge.
Four feet of sludge accumulated in the four million-gallon lagoon since the last time the District emptied it about eight years ago, Hutchings said. She called the rate of accumulation “a bit alarming.”
The District didn’t pump out the lagoon for 18 years after its construction, and this year’s work marks only the third time in District history.
The removal, transport and disposal of the sludge costs approximately $925 per dry ton, Hutchings said, meaning the additional sludge might cost GSBSD $111,000-$203,500.
GSBSD customers are unlikely to see this cost reflected in a rate increase, as the District is using a reserve account and other funds to pay for it, Hutchings said.
A contractor is working at the site and will remove as much of the sludge as possible while weather permits, Hutchings said.
