March 15, 2006 - The Authority receives the Wave Award from the NJ Association of Environmental Authorities

    
     The OCUA has received the NJ Association of Environmental Authorities (AEA) Wave Award for their leadership role in promoting the beneficial reuse of biosolids. This award is a culmination of two decades of concerted efforts to develop a comprehensive reuse program. This effort involved the selection of a drying technology, the design, construction and operation of the system and the development of marketing program to allow the Authority to compete in the fertilizer industry. The award was presented during the annual Award Luncheon held in conjunction with the AEA’s Spring Conference at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City. The award was accepted by Chairman John C. Parker and Commissioner DiAnne Gove.
     With over 50 million gallons a day of sewage flowing into three regional treatment plants resulting in over 30 dry tons of sludge to process for the entire County of Ocean and several Monmouth County municipalities, the OCUA formed a study team in the mid- 80s to guide and shape the future method for “sludge management” in Ocean County. The Study Team recommended that OCUA move ahead with a Reuse Program, and the Commissioners accepted the recommendation to design and build a facility that would produce a marketable fertilizer product.
After several attempts with a “failed technology”, the OCUA tailored the design specifications for the replacement system around a direct-drying system. A contract for the installation of this system was eventually awarded Andritz-Ruthner. Also included in this contract was the option to enter into a contract for the operation of the new facility. The OCUA exercised this option and Andritz-Ruthner is currently in their second five-year operations contract with the Authority.
     Knowing very little about the fertilizer industry, OCUA sought out and negotiated a three-year contract with Whellabrator/BioGrow (presently known as Synagro) to distribute 85% of OCUA’s product, while the Authority took on the challenge to market the remaining 15% of the product and build up the local markets.
Although there was some success the first year, OCUA did experience an initial loss of $35,000. OCUA decided to not only educate the staff about the organic and biosolid fertilizer called OCEANGRO, but to educate the general public. OCUA staff exhibited at and spoke at trade shows. The ability to demonstrate how biosolids could be substituted for topsoil in the construction of fairways on a new golf course lead to 15 new course construction jobs and numerous athletic fields and golf driving ranges. OCUA is also working with other wastewater agencies requiring assistance in this field. Additionally, OCUA has successfully attracted fertilizer bagger/blenders in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut areas.
    Over the last two years, OCUA has worked with the County of Ocean to conduct a trial to add OCEANGRO to the County’s leaf compost operation with the goal of attempting to speed up the process, to gain additional capacity in the composting yard while also creating and improved product. Ocean County can now process twice the volume of leaf compost as before and they are now developing a market to sell the enhanced material.
     At OCUA, OCEANGRO is not a project or program, “It’s a Way of Life.” The positive attitude and pride show in many forms. On any given day at OCUA, you could meet one of its employees wearing a shirt with the “OCEANGRO” logo which he or she proudly displays. It could be a staff member reaching out to help another agency which is implementing a similar project or getting involved with another demonstration project utilizing OCEANGRO. Other activities have and still include working with NJDEP and other governmental agencies to assess how some future regulations could be crafted. After having a “failed technology” ten years ago, today OCUA can be proud of having one of the premier biosolids reuse programs in New Jersey and in the United States.