Flushing money down the drain; Innovations can turn biosolids into profit, reduce municipal expenses

This is some good stuff — at least, Valley leaders believe so as they pursue innovations to turn our waste into money.

Water treatment creates an inevitable expense for municipalities and millions of homeowners flush their toilets day after day; but a pair of local projects aim to use solid waste by-products to reduce emissions and save money for local taxpayers.

Last week, a group of municipal leaders cut the ribbon on a new facility at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5615 S. 91st Ave., Tolleson, which will capture methane naturally produced by collected biosolids and turn it into usable natural gas.

Built through a public-private partnership with international renewable energy concern Ameresco, the facility provides a boon to the community, according to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“This innovative partnership allows us to turn waste into resource by converting biogas, a by-product of wastewater treatment, into renewable energy. This not only benefits our regional economy, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” stated Ms. Gallego in an Ameresco release.

Read the full release (opens in new window)