Biosolids Reuse

Biosolids, a beneficial and renewable resource, are produced from the organic material removed from wastewater.

Solids, removed from the wastewater (from homes, offices and factories) during the treatment process at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), are further processed and stabilized to reduce volume and odor.  Stabilization occurs in the digestion process in which the solids are heated in large tanks.

Biosolids are a beneficial resource containing essential plant nutrient and organic matter that can be recycled and applied as a soil conditioner and fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.  Biosolids are retained in the soil and release nutrients slowly as they are needed by plants.  All of the biosolids produced by McMinnville are hauled in tanker trucks and spread directly onto farmer's fields.

The biosolids production equipment used in McMinnville, and developed in Germany, is very effective at quickly converting organic material and removing harmful pathogens (disease producing bacteria).  The recycling of nutrients from wastewater back on the agricultural land is an effective way to limit use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and improve organic content of the soil.  Crop yield improvements and moisture conservation are often observed after the application of biosolids.