Biosolids are the organic solid product produced from the wastewater treatment process. Biosolids can be beneficially recycled in the community from which they were derived. Biosolids are not human waste nor are they hazardous to health.

2. How are the biosolids at GSD treated?

Raw sludge is removed from the wastewater in the primary treatment process and transferred to a digester. The sludge decomposes under controlled conditions in the digester at 95o F for approximately one month. The sludge is then moved to a stabilization basin where it continues to decompose for up to three years. The final treatment process involves dredging the solids from the stabilization basin to a drying bed where the biosolids are dried in the sun. They remain here until testing is completed and are then made available for distribution to the public.

3. How are biosolids regulated?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets strict quality criteria to assure the safety of biosolids. The regulation is known as The Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge (Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Part 503. Part 503 as it is called, describes the requirements that biosolids must meet before they can be given away to the public for land application. The EPA classifies biosolids into two major categories Class A and Class B. Each municipality that generates biosolids must file an annual report to the EPA, which summarizes their biosolids treatment process and disposal practices and characterizes their biosolids quality.

4. What is the quality of the biosolids generated at the Goleta Sanitary District?

The biosolids generated at the Goleta Sanitary District are classified as an exceptional quality biosolids. This means that they meet low-pollutant concentrations and Class A pathogen reduction requirements. See table next page.

5. What plants can be grown in biosolids?

Because biosolids generated at Goleta Sanitary District are classified as exceptional quality, Class A they are available for unrestricted use as specified in Part 503. The Santa Barbara County Health Department has further recommended that root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes not be grown in biosolids. Biosolids should not be thought of as a fertilizer (see table next page) rather they are better described as a soil amendment. Biosolids are an excellent way to increase the quality of heavy clay adobe soils that are often found in the Goleta area.