Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, the charge for septage will be increasing to 0.05/gallon. In addition, we will be requiring all loads to be within a specified pH range of 6.0-9.0. Should testing indicate a pH outside of this range it will not be accepted. Instruction of how to sample pH will be available at the dump site. This increase is necessary due to the cost to treat this waste.
Porta-pot waste, landfill leachate, and residential septic waste can all pose risks for treatment and the operators at the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility. People throw needles, rags, paper, shirts, bottles, feminine products, among other things in portable toilets. The “blue” water in these toilets are concentrated with chemicals and surfactants that are costly to remove at the treatment plant. Landfill leachate contains high concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds that can inhibit the performance of biological treatment. In addition, many other chemicals may be present, including pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals. Residential septic waste often contains highly variable organics with large amounts of grease, grit, hair, and debris.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants are sensitive to certain pollutants that can interfere with the treatment process. We have to protect our microbes and accepting this waste is a risk. The cost to treat this waste is also something that we have to consider.
Thank you for your patience during the last few weeks as we evaluated these processes. We will begin reviewing septage acceptance and rates on an annual basis moving forward. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions, jpatty@eldoks.com.