The City Council approved a two‑year biosolids (wastewater solids) management agreement with Synagro WWT, Inc. at a firm fixed price of $89.97 per ton, in a contract the city estimated will cost $467,008.44 annually based on 5,200 tons a year.
Water resources staff explained the city produces dewatered biosolids (a “cake” from the screw press) that previously had been windrow‑dried on unlined areas, a practice halted after State Water Resources Control Board staff raised groundwater contamination concerns. Canon Engineers found hauling and composting off-site was a feasible alternative. Synagro’s approach is to supply trailers, load the dewatered cake onto trucks at the plant and transport material to facilities that will stabilize and compost the biosolids to meet state requirements.
City staff said Synagro was the only proposer to the city’s recent request for proposals; they recommended the two‑year agreement to both ensure regulatory compliance with Senate Bill 1383 and to give the city time to evaluate longer‑term or regional alternatives. Staff said capital investments for on‑site advanced treatment or drying would be costly and that regional approaches are being studied elsewhere in the state.
The council approved a budget amendment and a transfer for the upcoming fiscal year to cover the additional cost. Staff said they will continue to evaluate regional solutions and pursue possible grant or collaborative approaches in the longer term.