METROGRO™ Processing
METROGRO™ biosolids are a result of wastewater treatment at the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District treatment facility. The wastewater treatment system controls the flow of wastewater to maximize microbial action on the solids and organic matter. These solids settle out so that the reclaimed water cleaned to federal and state regulatory standards, can be returned to the South Platte River. The solids that are removed during the treatment process, about 80 dry tons per day, meet federal and state regulatory standards for beneficial use. Only solids that meet these standards can be identified as biosolids, such as the Metro District's METROGRO™ Cake product.
METROGRO™ Cake is anaerobically digested solid material that comes from solids removed during the wastewater treatment process. Before wastewater arrives at the Metro District, it has been protected by a pretreatment program designed to minimize harmful or toxic chemicals entering the wastewater stream. Anaerobic digestion is a treatment method the Metro District uses to further break down the wastewater solids and destroy pathogens. The digested solids are then processed through centrifuges to remove water, leaving a mixture that is fairly homogeneous and has the consistency of thick cake batter. It consistently exceeds the criteria established in both the EPA and Colorado Biosolids Regulations for application to farm fields as a soil amendment and fertilizer. Although METROGRO™ Cake is used primarily in agriculture on farmland; it can also be beneficially used on rangeland, in forests, and for land reclamation projects.
METROGRO™ biosolids are beneficial to both the soils and the plants they grow whether on field crops or for reclamation of areas such as mine tailings or overgrazed rangeland. Alternative methods for handling biosolids such as incineration or burying in a landfill are a waste of valuable resources. The beneficial use of biosolids means a cleaner environment and the conservation of limited landfill space.
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