Knoxville Utilities Board Continues Platinum Certification

Congratulations to the Knoxville Utilities Board in Knoxville, TN on successfully completing the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) Biosolids Management Program (BMP) audit to continue their NBP Platinum Certification.

The 09-DEC-2016 audit report noted that the “cooperative business relationship between KUB and Synagro (contractor) is exemplary and contributes to the effectiveness of the Biosolids Program.”

Additionally, the following improvement outcomes within the past two years were confirmed by the auditor:

• “NBP Certification is allowing KUB / Synagro to avoid 30-day wait period before applying biosolids.
• KUB is participating in a successful program to properly remove unwanted medication from disposal in wastewater.
• Volatile solids reduction has improved by 15% in past 2 years. Now 60% compared to 38% minimum in 503 regulations.
• Three regulatory inspections in the past 2 years (EPA and TDEC) resulted in no noncompliance.
• Improved grit removal and screen washing results in more grit being removed and less organics to landfill.
• Total wet-weather SSOs and diversions have reduced by 95% in the past 10 years due to collection system improvements and addition of wet weather storage tanks. These upgrades have helped prevent SSOs from occurring at any KUB Wastewater Treatment Plant since 2014, resulting in much fewer blending events.
• Improved digester efficiency (e.g. cleaning) has reduced biosolids generation by 25%.
• A “Knowledge Management Initiative” is beginning to capture knowledge through operations and maintenance procedures.”

See the attached audit for additional information:  report-kub-biosolids-r-audit_final-12-09-16