Howard County recently completed a new Biosolids Addition No. 8 at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recently dedicated the new Biosolids Addition No. 8 at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant. When the project broke ground in 2017, it was the largest capital project in Howard County. The innovative Biosolids Addition No. 8 allowed the County biosolids program to achieve a Class “A” permit. Class A biosolids are disinfected to a level that inactivates pathogens and are subject to fewer site-specific controls. Impacting the region, Howard County recycles its biosolids to farms in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Class A Biosolids add organic matter to soil, improve soil properties, provide plant nutrients, increase crop yields, and reduce soil erosion. The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant produces 35 tons of biosolids each day.
According to the press release:
The Biosolids Addition project was no small feat – with more than 8 years from planning and design to completion and more than 450,000 manhours. Most impressively, this plant continued to operate throughout construction. Congratulations to the many individuals who worked on this project, and to our Department of Public Works for continuously improving and advancing innovative, environmentally sound and accepted biosolids management practices.
Calvin Ball
Howard County Executive
Eight years in the making, the Biosolids Addition No 8 is the second largest capital project in the history of Howard County. The project planning began in 2012, was designed in 2015, and construction started in February 2017. It was a significant undertaking to completely rebuild the solids handling portion of the plant while continuing to operate the plant and without a permit violation. The capital project budget for the Biosolids Addition was $117 million.
About Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant
The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant serves the central part of Howard County, which contains 56% of the County’s population, this includes the towns of Columbia, Savage, and North Laurel. There are 820 miles of gravity and force main sewer pipe that carries wastewater to the plant. Most of the rural western part of Howard County utilizes septic tanks. Waste from septic tanks in this area is transported to the plant by truck. The eastern portion of the County, including Ellicott City, Elkridge, and Jessup is served by the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore City.