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City wastewater superintendent reports strong CMAR grade, outlines biosolids dryer and RNG projects
Summary
Superintendent Cody Shepke told the Fond du Lac City Council the plant earned a 3.92 of 4 on its Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and described planned biosolids drying and renewable natural gas projects to reduce hauling costs, create a marketable product and use nearly all on-site biogas.
The City of Fond du Lac's wastewater treatment superintendent, Cody Shepke, told the City Council on June 4 that the facility received a 3.92 out of 4 on its Compliance Maintenance Annual Report submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Shepke said the score reflected two bypassing events after three heavy rainfall incidents in 2024 and noted staff efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration across the collection system. "I am happy to report that in 02/2024, we received a 3.92 out of 4," Shepke said.
The report and a longer presentation reviewed staffing, operations and planned capital work. Shepke said the plant hired an additional maintenance mechanic and reorganized operations into a two-tier operator system to improve retention. He also described filling the industrial coordinator role from within the plant staff, and said the lab moved from two full-time analysts to a combination of one full-time and two part-time positions to provide flexibility.
Shepke walked the council through two major capital initiatives: a biosolids dryer to produce a dried "exceptional quality" biosolids product and an RNG (renewable natural gas) pipeline-injection project to refine biogas into pipeline-quality methane. He said the dryer—a BCR screw-type dryer in the project design—would remove more than 70% of remaining water from dewatered biosolids and create a stable, easier-to-handle Class A product. A pilot drying produced a fine, soil-like material similar to other municipal products sold as soil amendments.
On the RNG project, Shepke said refining the plant's biogas to near-pipeline specs would allow the city to beneficially use or sell nearly 100% of its biogas rather than the roughly 60% currently used on-site. "I see dollar bills being burnt" from flaring excess gas, he said, describing the financial and greenhouse-gas benefits of capturing and marketing the refined methane.
Shepke said the city is partnering on watershed work to generate water-quality trading credits and that a new DNR permit addressing phosphorus limits is expected in the coming months. He warned that emerging contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics and pharmaceuticals are under regulatory scrutiny and said increased drying capacity positions the plant to respond to future rules.
Construction preparation for the dryer and RNG components was described as underway; Shepke said work was planned to begin imminently on site preparation with long lead times for some equipment and an expected online date in late summer to early fall of 2026. He credited plant staff for long-term operational improvements and invited council members to tour the facility.
Council members asked about the potential revenue from renewable fuel credits and the market for dried biosolids; Shepke said both are possible revenue sources and that markets include transportation fuel buyers and corporations buying credits to offset emissions. He also suggested that a dried product would be easier to place on land and usable by landscapers and gardeners if markets materialize.
No formal council action was required for the presentation itself; the CMAR (Resolution No. 9183) had been presented earlier in the meeting and the council approved that resolution by motion during the action-item portion of the June 4 meeting.
Shepke concluded by reiterating that the plant will soon begin construction activity on the projects and that staff expect to host an open house once systems are operating.
