The Wastewater Treatment Plant generates about 7,000 tons of biosolids or sludge annually as a by-product of the reclaimed water treatment process. This material must be transported and treated to FDEP standards prior to disposal. Our facility is not equipped to provide this level of biosolids treatment and the long distance to the disposal site makes it impractical for the City to haul the material; consequently the division has historically contracted this service out.
On January 11, 2013 the City advertised for “Biosolids Hauling and Disposal Services”. On Friday, March 1, 2013 seven sealed bids were opened and publicly read aloud. The low bid was from Merrell Bros., Inc. at $44.72 per ton for hauling and disposal. Over the past three (3) years Merrell Bros., Inc. service to the City has been dependable and no complaints have been filed against the contractor by staff or the public.
As Council may recall, the exiting contract dated April 16, 2013 contained two (2) initial years and a one (1) year renewal term. The $44.72 per ton for hauling and disposal is the lowest price since the City begin hauling the by-product in 2008. The current site used for disposal has closed; this has caused an increase in the typical charge for hauling and disposal. In 2015 Pasco County Utilities went out to bid and awarded a disposal contract at a rate of $56.46 per ton. This rate is $11.74 higher than the existing rate charged to the City for disposal, or a potential savings of $64,180 based on the City's yearly disposal average. Subsequent to discussions between the contractor and City Utility staff, it has been agreed that existing terms, conditions, and pricing in the 2013 agreement shall remain the same should City Council approve the one (1) year extension.