Utility to mine wastewater for Nitrogen and Phosphorus source as fertilizer

TIGARD, OR — Clean Water Services, Washington County’s sewage utility, is planning to mine wastewater for phosphorus and ammonia (nitrogen source), and then resell it as fertilizer, according to a November 16 Associated Press article.

The company says it will install $2.5 million worth of equipment in its wastewater treatment plant by the spring of 2009 with the goal to produce 40 tons of fertilizer per month, which will be sold to farms and nurseries.

The company currently pays to have these nutrients removed from its machines, according to the article.

Officials said in the article that they hope the system will pay for itself within five years.

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