A Resolution of the City of Sunrise, Florida, approving a “Project Agreement between the City of Sunrise and Brown and Caldwell (Corporation) for Project Agreement No. PA 25-020-BC Evaluation of Dewatered was Stability and Alternatives for Sludge Stabilization – Technical Memorandum”; and providing an effective date. City Manager Mark Lubelski. Rodrigo de Castro, Director of Utilities.

The City of Sunrise, Utilities Department participated in a Regional Biosolids Workgroup with Broward County Water and Wastewater Services and other partners for consideration of a new regional biosolids facility. Broward County has been advised by consultants and vendors that the proposed facility under evaluation accept and process Class B biosolids due to technology performance concerns. Several partners, including the City of Sunrise, do not currently produce Class B biosolids and may not be able to participate in the regional facility. However, Broward County may be able to accept and process stabilized biosolids if it is determined that the material will not negatively impact the performance and operations of the proposed thermal drying system. A key concern is the stability of the sludge during storage prior to drying, particularly for waste activated sludge (WAS) produced at low solids retention time (SRT) facilities.

The Utilities Department owns and operates two long-SRT secondary wastewater treatment plants that currently dose VX456, a chemical oxidant, ahead of dewatering to mitigate odor issues during loading and hauling of dewatered cake. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of VX456 in stabilizing WAS, assess the physical and biological stability of the sludge, and compare alternative stabilization methods. The findings will inform whether the City’s sludge is suitable for drying and support broader regional planning for sludge management. This proposed study will also compare the life cycle costs of chemical stabilization to biological stabilization processes (i.e., aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion) through an alternatives analysis.

Brown and Caldwell (Corporation) has provided the Utilities Department with a reasonable proposal for the services related to this project and is capable of performing the services based on its experience and availability. This project agreement is consistent with Item Number 13 in Exhibit “A” Scope of Services of the 2021 Continuing Services Agreement with Brown and Caldwell for Water, Wastewater, Reuse and Natural Gas Utility Projects Consultant Services.