Industry Indigestion

Why is it taking so long for the hundreds of wastewater treatment plants with anaerobic digesters to become net energy producers?

Reducing energy demand and costs through codigestion, as well as generating revenue from tip fees, enables a facility to improve the balance sheet. So why don’t more treatment plants consider alternative feedstocks for codigestion? One reason is that operators are concerned contaminants could be introduced into their digesters. This means more maintenance to clear the buildup of inert material and clogs in pumps and piping.

But the leaders in codigestion – East Bay Municipal Utility District, Sheboygan, Gloversville Johnstown, and Des Moines, among others – didn’t let maintenance stand in the way. Why not?