City looks at possibility of generating revenue from sludge
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
While the thought of turning waste into income might sound odd, Whitewater officials are in the process of reviewing the scenario as a possible means of generating additional revenue at the city’s Wastewater Utility Plant.
Wastewater Superintendent Tim Reel came before the Common Council last week and discussed ongoing efforts to more efficiently use the capacity of its digester, a mechanism that uses microorganisms to convert industrial wastewater into readily disposable sludge.
The separated, refined material can be used for other purposes, including power sources.
Reel said the city could potentially reduce its traditional reliance on energy from local utility We Energies. He pointed to methods already in place in a smattering of municipalities across the state, including the cities of Sheboygan and Stevens Point.
Doubling the wastewater plant as a site of renewable energy is an up-and-coming idea that city officials believe could lead to another income stream.
“Our hope is it would be a generator for additional revenue,” Reel said. “It could serve as a buffer from future rate increases.”
City Manager Cameron Clapper said he believes “now is the time” to look into the feasibility of this new proposal since other facilities will likely be offering digesters in upcoming years to interested firms.
Reel and Clapper are suggesting the city contract with an outside firm, Black and Veatch, to look further into the merits of this option.
Several elected officials openly spoke in favor of the early exploratory process.
“I think it would be short-sighted not to move forward,” council member Ken Kidd said.
If plans proceed, representatives of the Black and Veatch firm would look further into what is being described as a performance contracting option for the wastewater plant.
Reel said he will provide the council with a full presentation on the proposal at a meeting in January.
