Council approves Earthworks Solutions contract to haul biosolids to Moses Lake site

The Arlington City Council approved a contract with Earthworks Solutions to haul the city—s biosolids to a receiving facility in Moses Lake (referred to in the meeting as Boulder Park facility). Staff said the city had identified the Moses Lake facility as an alternative to previously used eastern-Washington land-application sites and solicited hauling bids priced on a per-ton basis.

Jim Kelly explained the procurement and cost structure and said Earthworks Solutions submitted the lowest price per ton. "Earthworks Solutions is the preferred low bidder with a ... bid coming in at approximately $75,000 for the remainder of 2025," Kelly said. Council discussed budgetary implications: a councilmember asked how much of the $215,000 annual budget has already been spent; staff said the spent amount was not at hand and that the hauling contract for the remainder of 2025 may put the wastewater operating fund over the current line-item budget, but funds are available in the wastewater operating fund to cover overruns.

Council voted to accept the proposal and authorize the mayor to sign the contract.

Clarifying details: bids were priced per ton, so the total is an estimate for the remainder of the year; staff said actual tonnage varies and the estimate is based on expected tonnage. The budgeted annual amount referenced in discussion was approximately $215,000; staff said they did not have the current year-to-date spend at the meeting. Staff confirmed the receiving facility in Moses Lake is identified as an alternate disposal location.

Next steps: execute the hauling contract and monitor tonnage and budget impacts; staff noted the wastewater operating fund can cover overruns if necessary.