How are biosolids used & managed
in the United States?
Idealized photo courtesy of Denali Water Solutions.
Boston digesters NEBRA photo
Albuquerque biosolids compost Photo courtesy Albuquerque WUA
New Haven incineration NEBRA photo
Why are biosolids data important?
Biosolids is a billions-of-dollars environmental stewardship activity in which almost every community in the U. S. is engaged. Data are needed by regulatory agencies; legislators; policy makers; WRRF owners, managers, and operators; engineering firms and consultants; academic researchers; technology inventors and vendors; venture capitalists; investors; business and market analysts; news media; and the general public.
NEW! National U. S. Biosolids Data
FINAL REPORT
Compilation and analysis of all the NBDP 2018 data, with dozens of tables, figures, graphs, assessments of data quality – including survey responses about regulatory oversight, energy & economic aspects of biosoilds management, barriers to AD & biogas use, trends, and selected quotes from respondents. June 2023 report posted March 2024. See Data Downloads….
There are fees for data downloads for paid work.
But downloads can be no-fee for non-profits, no budgets, & personal use.
Details: Data Downloads…
Thanks to our partners across the biosolids profession!
Learn more about biosolids from these biosolids resources.
In 2018…
(2018 is a year representative of the late 2010s & the early 2020s)
53% of U. S. biosolids were recycled to soils.
47% were landfilled, disposed, or incinerated.
Some were used to produce green energy.
From Maine to Guam, here’s what happens with wastewater solids (sludge).
This is the most comprehensive dataset on biosolids regulation, quality, end use, and disposal in the U.S.
Data are available for your benefit, the benefit of the biosolids profession, and the public.
What you’ll find on this website…
State-by-state reports (click to “State Summaries” in menu above):
53 completed state & territory data spreadsheets (PDF)
53 state & territory statistics dashboards (PDF)
53 state & territory summary reports (PDF)
National Summary (click to it above)
National 2018 totals (PDF)
Dashboard of national statistics (PDF)
National Summary Report
Data Downloads (click to it above)
(Downloads incur a moderate fee to support the maintenance of this web resource.)NEW! Final Report (June 2023, posted March 2024)
Spreadsheets of full data
Slide presentation of charts, tables, & summary info - 80+ slides to use to understand & share key findings
About the project, definitions, lit. review, methods
The 2004 biosolids data: complete U.S. biosolids survey, report, & state-by-state tables
Presentations in professional publications & conferences (ongoing); use the Contact form to request a presentation.
More About the Project / Publicity…
Water World: “New report details nation’s biosolids management,” Sept. 13, 2022
MWRD of Greater Chicago Seminar presentation, June 24, 2022
Water Environment Federation: WE & T, April 2022 (see p. 56, biosolids-focused edition)