TMWRF produces approximately 40,000 tons of biosolids annually from the wastewater treatment process.   These biosolids are transported to the Lockwood Regional Landfill for disposal.  The previous agreement for disposal at the landfill has expired and staff is seeking a new agreement to guarantee disposal pricing.

If adopted, the new agreement will set tipping fees at the Lockwood Landfill at $13.62/ton for weekday disposal and $24.22/ton for Saturdays.  This is a 4.5% increase over the prior contract rate.  Beginning on October 1, 2020, these rates will be subject to annual inflation adjustment based on the All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average Garbage and Trash Collection Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a maximum annual increase of 6%.

The proposed agreement is set for an initial 36-month term with up to four mutually agreeable one-year extensions.  Based on these new rates, the estimated annual cost for biosolids disposal is $852,500.  This cost is included in the TMWRF Operational Budget each year and is shared proportionally between Reno and Sparks based on influent flow.  The current influent flow split is Sparks 34%, Reno 66%.

1. City Council may approve the agreement as presented by staff
2. City Council may reject the agreement and direct the Manager to have staff investigate alternatives.

I move to approve agreement (AC-5617) with Refuse, Inc, dba Lockwood Regional Landfill, for the disposal of biosolids at the Lockwood Regional Landfill from the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility.