Title
Requisition No. REQ-0006909
Incineration Ash Land Application
O&M
Body
Agenda of: November 20, 2025
Item No.: 2025-357
Amount: $1,105,500.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: October 27, 2025
RE: Requisition No. REQ-0006909
Incineration Ash Land Application
Vendor: LaSalle Agri Inc.
Status: New Contract/PO
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Navid Mehram, Chief Operating Officer - Wastewater Operating Services, the Board of Directors (Board) of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) authorizes the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to enter into Requisition No. REQ-0006909, “Incineration Ash Land Application” with LaSalle Agri Inc. at a cost not to exceed $663,300.00 for a duration of three (3) years with two (2) one (1)-year renewal options with a cost not to exceed $221,100.00 for renewal one (1) and a cost not to exceed $221,000.00 for renewal two (2) for a total contract amount of $1,105,500.00; and authorizes the CEO to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND
The Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), through its treatment process, annually generates approximately 105,000 dry tons of byproduct called biosolids. On average, 75% of the product is processed through our Biosolids Dryer Facility (BDF), which is then land applied as fertilizer, a valuable resource for farmers. Prior to this contract, 25% of the byproduct was incinerated by converting the biosolids to ash that was then landfilled. The award of the contract will allow for reliable disposal of ash while allowing GLWA to eliminate the ash from landfill disposal and send it to land application. The scope of work provides labor, materials, supplies, and equipment necessary for the safe loading, transporting, and disposal of ash in accordance with local, State, and Canadian regulations.
JUSTIFICATION
The disposal of the ash is critical for the WRRF to maintain compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The ash contains phosphorus, providing fertilizer characteristics, and can be utilized for beneficial reuse for crops and for soil amendment. The GLWA Operations Team, in coordination with LaSalle Agri Inc., conducted a three-month pilot to use the ash as a soil amendment. GLWA found the results of the pilot favorable and a great step for GLWA to convert all byproducts to beneficial reuse. This further reduces our dependency on landfill disposal while reducing our overall cost of disposal.
FINANCIAL PLAN IMPACT
Summary: The proposed contract for hauling and disposal of ash was anticipated as an ongoing component of the current financial plan for wastewater. The proposed contract represents a reduction to the unit cost from the current contract. The current contract was referred to when creating the FY 2026-30 Financial Plan. This reduced unit cost will be used during the contract period and in the development of the FY 2027-31 Financial Plan. There are sufficient funds in the financial plan to cover the maximum value of the contract for this service.
Funding Source: Operations and Maintenance Budget (5960)
Cost Center: BDF, COF & Hauling (892227)
Expense Type: Contractual Operating Services
Estimated Cost by Year and Related Forecast Variance:
Fiscal Year Amount
FY 2026 Budget (Prorated) $146,252.05
FY 2027 Financial Plan $540,200.00
FY 2028 Financial Plan $572,000.00
FY 2029 Financial Plan $603,800.00
FY 2030 Financial Plan $635,600.00
FY 2031 Forecast (Prorated) $452,756.16
Total Financial Plan/Forecast $2,950,608.21
Maximum Requisitions $1,105,500.00
Forecast Variance (Negative)/Positive $1,842,108.21
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This item was presented to the Operations and Resources Committee at its meeting on November 12, 2025. The Operations and Resources Committee unanimously recommended that the GLWA Board adopt the resolution as presented.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
This item does not impact the shared services agreement between GLWA and DWSD.