July/August 1996
|
|
July/August 1996 |
by Julie O'Leary
Throughout its history, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) has been a leader in implementing innovative programs that reduce toxic substances. The district provides wastewater and solid waste services to 130,000 people in ten municipalities in and around Duluth, Minnesota. The 1,300 square-kilometer (500 square-mile) district is located at the western-most end of the Great Lakes. In processing waste, the district employs a comprehensive set of waste management systems, including:
a treatment plant that processes 160 million liters (43 million gallons) of wastewater per day
a processing facility that manages 270 tonnes (300 tons) of solid waste from four counties per day
an incineration system that burns sludge and refuse-derived fuel
an industrial waste landfill
a yard waste composting site
a permanent household hazardous waste facility.
Because of its dependence on this integrated system, WLSSD has implemented toxics reduction programs that focus on wastewater and solid waste.
Targeting commercial and residential customers, the district's programs range from collecting toxic wastes to educating waste generators about source separation and pollution prevention. Ultimately, the programs promote the elimination of toxic discharges within the WLSSD service area.
Assessing WLSSD's Impact
Since WLSSD is the largest point source of discharge on the U.S. side of Lake Superior, Kurt Soderberg, executive director, believes the district has a special obligation to assess its impact on the lake. "The WLSSD was specifically created to deal with the pollution in the lower St. Louis River," said Soderberg. "Because of these origins and because of our input to Lake Superior, we have always believed that our primary mission is to protect the environment."
WLSSD has recognized the Lake Superior Binational Program designation of the lake as a demonstration site for elimination of persistent toxic discharges. In response, WLSSD is one of few local governments that has committed its facilities to the goal of zero discharge. Executive Director Soderberg has said that, "Zero discharge is no different than zero defects or zero time lost to injuries. Just as we strive toward zero defects, we must recognize this goal and develop programs and systems to get us there."
Such toxics reduction programs are not new at the district. The reduction of effluent mercury levels has been a district goal since 1989. To meet that goal, WLSSD made changes to processes at its facilities and developed programs aimed at the source separation of mercury-containing wastes. For example, changes in the district's ash management system significantly reduced mercury and lead content in sludge and effluent.
Stringent Limits
Further, the district's industrial pretreatment program is guided by some of the most stringent limits for metals content in the nation. Through this program, district employees work closely with industrial customers to help them identify and address problems, with a goal of meeting the required pretreatment limits. Finally, bans have been placed on the disposal of specific materials, such as latex paint and antifreeze, in sewers.
In addition to toxics reduction programs, the WLSSD has operated a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection program since 1986. The district's HHW program, located in a permanent building since 1993, was the first in Minnesota to accept hazardous wastes from small businesses through its Clean Shop program.
Education programs are another important element of the district's pollution prevention strategy. MercAlert is a public education program that focuses on mercury and mercury-containing products. The district has established a collection network for button batteries in northeastern Minnesota, conducted teacher workshops on mercury and developed audiovisual and print materials about the management of mercury-containing products, including a guide for dental offices.
District staff are continuing these important efforts by developing an outreach program to assist dentists and a project for homeowners that stresses reducing use of lawn pesticides. These programs combine educational efforts with on-site visits and technical assistance for customers.
Zero Discharge Pilot Project
The most recent effort of the district is the development and implementation of a Zero Discharge Pilot Project, focusing on mercury, lead, PCBs, dioxin and hexachlorobenzene. Funding has been secured from the district, the Great Lakes Protection Fund and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 5 Water Division and Great Lakes National Program Office.
Over the next two years, district staff will work with generators to develop strategies to reduce the use and discharge of these chemicals in the service area. Reduction and elimination programs will be directed at the general public, as well as at specific industries and organizations. Strategies will range from educating about alternative products to developing infrastructure to collect and manage materials when alternatives are not available. A cost assessment will be conducted for phasing out all PCBs in the service area that remain in use, though they are no longer manufactured or distributed. The project will also include dissemination plans to ensure that information is shared with other communities and industries.
The WLSSD is a proven regional system that has been a leader in cost-effective waste management and innovative solutions to environmental problems. It is through these and other such efforts that the WLSSD will continue its leadership efforts.
Julie O'Leary is a pollution prevention supervisor at the WLSSD. For general information about the WLSSD, call (218)722-3336. For specific information about the Zero Discharge Pilot, contact Julie O'Leary or Tim Tuominen, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, 2626 Courtland Street, Duluth, MN 55806. Email p2team@cp.duluth.mn.us; telephone (218)722-3336, extension 233 for Julie O'Leary or extension 324 for Tim Tuominen; fax (218)727-7471.
Sommaire
Depuis sa création, le Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) a toujours fait figure de chef de file dans la mise en oeuvre de programmes novateurs de réduction des substances toxiques. Le district assure des services de traitement des eaux usées et des déchets solides à 130 000 personnes de dix municipalités de Duluth (Minnesota) et des environs. Le WLSSD, parce qu'il dépend d'un réseau intégré, a mis en oeuvre des programmes de réduction des substances toxiques axés sur les eaux usées et les déchets solides. Orientés vers les clientèles commerciale et résidentielle, les programmes du district vont de la collecte des déchets toxiques à la sensibilisation des producteurs de déchets au tri à la source et à la prévention de la pollution. En fin de compte, les programmes font la promotion de l'élimination des rejets toxiques à l'intérieur de la zone desservie par le WLSSD.
Revised: 17 February 1997
Maintained by Kevin McGunagle,
mcgunaglek@ijc.wincom.net