WEF and ABC Join To Promote Resource Recovery

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and American Biogas Council (ABC; Washington, D.C.) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will help accelerate organics recycling by jointly promoting the value of resource recovery, specifically the use of energy and products produced from biogas systems at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs).

“Our organizations have a shared interest in the recognition that energy derived from biosolids, using anaerobic digestion, is a valuable renewable resource,” said Eileen O’Neill, WEF executive director. “We look forward to working with ABC in promoting opportunities for the beneficial use of biogas and digested residuals.”

The organizations believe that WRRFs produce clean water and, through the use of biogas systems, yield renewable energy, recover nutrients, and produce nutrient-rich soil amendments that reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, according to a joint WEF and ABC news release. Biogas systems process organic materials to capture methane and create renewable electricity and fuel.

Currently, more than 2000 biogas facilities operate in the U.S., with more than 1300 of those at WRRFs. But there are at least 4000 WRRFs in the U.S. where new biogas systems could be installed, the news release says.

WEF and ABC support the beneficial use of biogas, digested materials, and biosolids as economically and environmentally sound energy and waste management solutions for communities. The organizations also support using proven technologies that facilitate energy and nutrient recovery, developing state and federal regulations, encouraging federal and state legislation that promotes use of biogas as renewable energy, using proactive communications and public outreach to build support, and continuing research in biosolids management. See more details in the “Statement of Principles on Biogas from Biosolids.”