In a memo presented to the Grand Rapids City Commission this week, Wyoming Superintendent Jon Burke said half of Wyoming’s wastewater would be processed at Grand Rapids’ biodigester, turning it into renewable natural gas. The agreement was drafted and approved by both cities.
While Grand Rapids will benefit from the extra renewable gas production, Wyoming will reduce the amount of solid waste it sends to landfills.
Under the terms of the six-month trial, Wyoming will pay Grand Rapids $0.068 per gallon to process the wastewater sludge. Wyoming is considering construction of a digester and sludge dryer at its wastewater treatment plant at a cost between $57 and $97 million.
A feasibility study will be conducted during the first month of the agreement to determine if a long-term partnership with Grand Rapids would be more cost effective.
Wyoming is spending roughly $1.1 million on the six-month trial.
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