Public Works seeks renewal of long‑running biosolids land‑application agreements; officials cite cost savings

The Omaha Public Works Department outlined a long‑standing program to land‑apply treated biosolids (stabilized sewage sludge) to agricultural fields and asked the council to renew 19 related agreements that have been used for decades.

Why it matters: City officials said the land‑application program is a cost‑saving alternative to disposal in landfills and benefits surrounding farmers by providing a soil amendment. Public Works estimated dumping biosolids in landfills would cost about $2.3 million annually compared with roughly $36,000 per year for the land‑application agreements.

Presentation: Jim Key of the Public Works Department said biosolids are a byproduct of wastewater treatment and that the agreements cover the land application and spreading of biosolids on agricultural properties adjacent to the city’s service area. He said the program has been active for decades and that current property owners have participated for a long time. The department circulated a memo to council staff in advance of the meeting.

Council response: Council members praised the program’s landfill diversion and fiscal benefits. One commenter in the public record urged attention to sewer upgrade funding and federal assistance for system upgrades; staff said they have engaged with state legislators on funding priorities.

Action: These items were included as part of the agenda’s public hearings for items 36 through 54; council procedures indicated the items will proceed to future action according to the agenda schedule (the transcript records the presentations and public comment; final vote scheduling is per agenda rules).