RAPID CITY, S.D., July 6, 2004 -- The South Dakota Engineering Society (SDES) recently presented the Rapid City Cocompost Facility with its 2004 Outstanding Engineering Achievement of the Year award. The award recognizes engineering achievements that embody the innovative and dynamic spirit of a profession dedicated to public service. The cocompost facility was selected because of the applied engineering principles involved, the project's originality and innovation, the design complexity, and the social significance and economic impact on the community.
The $7.2 million cocompost facility composts and recycles municipal wastes and biosolids for the City of Rapid City, S.D. The IPS Composting System from USFilter is designed to convert 213 tons per day of pre-processed solid wastes from the city's material recovery facility and biosolids from the city's water reclamation facility into compost. The facility has been operational since last summer. The composting system represents the third phase of the city's solid waste program.
USFilter's IPS Composting System is a USEPA-approved technology that meets the EPA's Part 503 regulatory requirements for Process to Further Reduce Pathogens. The system composts wastewater biosolids, food, paper, yardwaste and other organic residuals for agricultural and horticultural use.
"We developed the solid waste program because of a strong community interest in recycling and to prolong the life of our landfills," says Jerry Wright, solid waste superintendent, Rapid City Solid Waste Department.
The cocompost facility will extend the city's landfill life by an estimated 30-plus years while alleviating the need for the city to purchase 1,100 more acres of land for farming biosolids. Rapid City markets the compost and uses it for land reclamation, agriculture, erosion control, stormwater management and numerous other applications. Proceeds help offset the cost of operating the facility; as a result, the facility uses no tax dollars to maintain operations.
Rapid City-based Alliance of Architects and Engineers designed the project, with contributions by Sebesta Blomberg of Roseville, Minn., and John Hey and Company of Rapid City.
Both the material recovery and cocompost facilities exceed various state recycling goals. The cocompost facility has also been recommended for two Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Excellence awards.
Millions of people and thousands of companies rely on USFilter every day to help them meet their clean water needs. Headquartered in Palm Desert, Calif., USFilter (www.usfilter.com) is a $1 billion water company with 6,000 experienced professionals dedicated to delivering cost-effective, reliable water and wastewater treatment systems and services to municipal, industrial, commercial and institutional customers worldwide.
