Chattanooga interim administrator of wastewater department Mark Heinzer addressed the odor caused by the biosolids coming from Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus and says it is supposed to be spread within 45 days of delivery. 

Last week, Commissioner Tommy Savage first learned of the concerns residents had due to the smell coming from biosolid fertilizer being shipped to Warren County from Chattanooga. Savage emailed the mayor of Chattanooga and expressed his concerns about the smell and possibility of groundwater pollution. Mayor Kelly said he would look into it. 

In an email to Savage on Tuesday, Heinzer apologized for the inconvenience, but explained the Class B biosolids being delivered are fully treated. 

Heinzer wrote, “The Class B biosolids that are being delivered to farms in Warren County and 12 other Tennessee counties from the Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus are byproducts of the treatment process and no longer contain sewage. While they are produced as part of our wastewater treatment process, they have been fully treated and their land application is approved and regulated by TDEC as agricultural fertilizer. TDEC, our own staff, and our contractor monitor the application process. Class B biosolids, like other fertilizers, are safe for the environment when applied following TDEC and industry guidelines, and their use on local farms saves farmers tens of thousands of dollars every year in fertilizer costs.”

According to the CDC, Class B biosolids have undergone treatment that has reduced but not eliminated pathogens. 

The biggest issue with the delivered biosolids is the fact it is not being spread when it is supposed to creating a smell and causing water to pool in it when it rains. Heinzer says it is a requirement in the contract that the material be spread within 45 days and he says he has addressed that problem.

Heinzer wrote, “The requirements outlined in our biosolids application contract state that the material, once delivered, be spread within 45 days. The odors you and your constituents experienced were exacerbated by the fact that the biosolids were not spread within the required 45-day period. We have addressed this issue with our contractor and will be closely monitoring to ensure it does not happen again.”

According to the City of Chattanooga's website, Moccasin Bend has a contract with Denali Water Solutions for the application of biosolids material. In the Denali Water Solutions requirements for participation in the City of Chattanooga Biosolids Program, there are certain requirements listed to determine if a site is suitable for the biosolid application from the Moccasin Bend Waste Water Treatment Plant. The document states in the section titled Adjoining Land Use, “The site needs to be at least 1,000 feet from schools or churches and at least 100 feet from businesses, homes, parks or other places of public assembly.”

The document also includes a section titled Neighbors/Community Relations stating, “Discuss with farmer/site operator how they feel biosolids/residuals application will be accepted by their neighbors and the community and any positive or negative past experience with biosolids or other materials. Discuss the farmer’s willingness to stick with the program if there is opposition.”

Heinzer apologized for the unpleasant odor and said he is steadfast in ensuring Warren County is fertilized without harmful effects. He wrote, “We are committed to ensuring that biosolids from our program continue to help fertilize the Nursery Capital of the World without any negative impacts to the surrounding community.”

Chattanooga’s Moccasin Bend Waste Water Treatment Plant currently has 190 farms participating in the biosolids program. The city’s biosolids program produces approximately 70,000 wet tons of material annually.