Have you noticed a fresher scent in the air lately?

That’s because our biosolids removal project is officially complete. Over the past few weeks, crews have been hard at work dredging and dewatering the lagoons at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of our ongoing commitment to responsible and effective water management.

a wide angle view of a wastewater lagoon with biosolid removal equipment in the distance.

But what is biosolids removal?

Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic materials that settle at the bottom of wastewater lagoons. Over time, they build up and need to be removed to keep the treatment system running efficiently and to reduce odor. The process involves dredging (vacuuming out the settled solids) and dewatering (separating the water from the solids) before hauling away the remaining material.

Over 2,500 dry tons of biosolids were safely removed and properly disposed of. That’s roughly the weight of 600 Toyota Corollas.

This major infrastructure milestone helps protect air quality, improve system performance, and support long-term environmental health in Independence.