Elyria approves $441,000 biosolids study contract; seeks $29,708 EPA loan for emerging-contaminants review

The Utility Safety & Environment and Finance committees on Sept. 29 authorized the mayor to contract with Brown and Caldwell to perform a comprehensive biosolids study for the Elyria Wastewater Pollution Control Plant and approved applying for a principal-forgiveness loan from the Ohio EPA to cover the emerging-contaminant portion of that study.

Superintendent Shane Stewart told the committees the contract is a not-to-exceed $441,000 engagement and said staff vetted 16 firms, narrowed the field to four and selected Brown and Caldwell after technical interviews and presentations. “The do not exceed was 441,000,” Stewart said. He described the study as an eight-month effort to build a 20-year roadmap for managing biosolids and biogas, analyze five to ten years of operational data, inspect equipment and identify options such as energy recovery, pipeline injection, a fats‑oils‑and‑grease (FOG) program and advanced digestion.

Stewart said the plant’s digesters are nearly 100 years old and Elyria currently produces about 350 wet tons of biosolids a month. He estimated biogas production at about 26,000,000 cubic feet per year and said the gas is presently flared; it could generate roughly 2,600,000 kilowatt‑hours annually if captured and used. “We produce about 350 wet tons a month,” Stewart said. “We heat [the digesters] to 98 degrees,” he added, describing anaerobic stabilization and dewatering practices.

Superintendent Jason Jacobs presented the companion item seeking up to $29,708 in Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Fund principal forgiveness to pay for the study’s emerging‑contaminant work. Jacobs said Brown and Caldwell separated the emerging‑contaminant scope and that the EPA fund provides full principal forgiveness for that portion; Brown and Caldwell would submit documentation to the EPA and the city expects reimbursement. “This will be a forgiveness loan for the ECs portion of the study in the amount of $29,708,” Jacobs said.

Committee members asked about funding sources and program mechanics. Stewart said the contract will be charged to engineering professional services in the wastewater pollution fund; Mr. Farrell confirmed the funds were appropriated in the wastewater miscellaneous department. Members also asked whether land application, farm-leasing models or state and federal grants could offset disposal costs; Stewart said those options will be evaluated in the study. On grants, Stewart and Jacobs said some state and federal programs require a basis of design or concept before an application will be accepted.

Supporters on the council noted potential cost savings from generating on‑site electricity. Councilmember Talat said using methane to power a combined heat‑and‑power generator could cut energy bills roughly in half; Stewart said that figure is consistent with current estimates but cautioned that capital costs for a generator are separate from study costs. “If we could do that, two years worth of service of a methane generator would pay for this entire study in itself,” Talat said; Stewart agreed the rough estimate was correct but urged caution.

Both committees passed ordinances authorizing the contract and the EPA principal‑forgiveness application; emergency clauses were requested to allow timely procurement and grant submission. The Utilities committee voted to recommend the mayor sign the contract and the Finance committee subsequently approved the authorization during the joint session. The EPA loan application similarly passed both committees.

What the committees authorized is a study and related grant application; no capital projects or construction were approved tonight. The study’s findings will be returned to the city for any recommendations, required designs or additional procurement.