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Utilities director warns Perry council of increasing wastewater compliance costs, sludge hauling bills
Summary
City utilities staff warned the Perry City Council that DEP permit changes lowering nutrient limits and adding monitoring requirements have raised wastewater operating costs, including a contracted sludge hauling bill of roughly $64,500 and potential $2 million capital needs for a sludge press.
The City of Perry’s utilities director briefed the council on mounting wastewater compliance and disposal costs tied to new permit limits and additional monitoring requirements from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The director said DEP’s lower limits for phosphorus and nitrogen, plus a new soil-capacity test and added monitoring wells, could require capital work and annual testing that may cost the city thousands of dollars. He said the plant has not historically needed some of these measures and identified specific near-term costs.
Staff told the council the city typically hauls about 1 million gallons of sludge annually, but current capacity allows hauling about 450,000 gallons; the remainder must be contracted out. The director said hiring a contractor to haul the extra 550,000 gallons would cost about $64,500 ("about 12¢ a gallon" according to the director) and that the city had budgeted $70,000 to cover anticipated hauling in the prior fiscal year.
The director also said staff is seeking a contractor to harvest hay from the city’s sludge spray field to reduce nutrient loads as required by permit language; if no contractor is available, the city may need to buy equipment or pursue grants. He said installing a press to dewater and dry biosolids could cost on the order of $2,000,000 and would likely require outside grant funding.
Council and staff discussed CCTV inspection requirements for sewer lines that may be part of future permit cycles and the need for engineers experienced in wastewater permitting. The director urged that any selected engineering firm be experienced with DEP wastewater regulations to anticipate future permit changes.
No formal council action was taken; staff said they will obtain cost estimates for hay harvesting and sludge hauling and explore grant opportunities for capital projects.
