There are several common issues that the world is facing right now. One of these issues has to do with waste management systems. The problems and issues of these systems, both in industrialized and developing countries, are very different from each other. Those living in industrialized countries have developed facilities and guidelines to adequately handle these issues. On the other hand, those who live in third world countries are still striving to develop better programs.

Definition

Biosolids are defined as nutrient-rich organic material that has been obtained from sewage sludge treatment. When wastewater is treated in secured facilities, it is recycled into fertilizer, incinerated or buried in a landfill. Of course, all of these methods have varying degrees of unfavorable environmental impact, with adverse health risks if such waste is disposed of in an improper way. Vacuum trucks are used in these programs in the transportation and disposal of biosolids.

Government Policies

Just three decades ago in the United States of America, people who lived in the city usually dumped their raw sewage directly into bodies of water. Today, the United States government has created strict policies on the proper disposal of garbage and sewage; in particular, these policies focus on the minimization of hazardous biological and chemical wastes. Because of the strict Federal and State regulations for urban areas, services and programs regarding residuals from wastewater treatment have been greatly improved over time.

Role of the Vacuum Truck

This type of carrier truck is known to be an environmentally sound solution in transporting residuals from waste water treatment plants. The product of sewage treatment is an organic material that is very rich in nutrients which is why it was recommended that biosolids be used as fertilizers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continuously provides the public with education about the proper recycling and disposal of sewage treatment residuals. In addition, many places in the United States are adopting the utilization of enclosed systems to transport biosolids to the application sites.

Indeed, a vacuum truck is very helpful in achieving a responsible waste management program. This vehicle has proven to be effective in transporting wastewater sludge and other non-hazardous liquid waste material to treatment facilities. As a result, the demand for this type of equipment is increasing in urban areas.

Vacuum truck services are perhaps best targeted towards the transportation and disposal of biosolids to be turned into agricultural usage to fertilize and assist in soil conservation. According to the EPA, fifty percent (50 %) of these sewage treatment residuals are applied to acreage for soil fertility. In addition, vacuum trucks are good transportation vehicles because of their spill prevention and odor control systems. They help minimize public health risks and negative environmental impacts while transporting material.

For businesses who engage in vacuum truck services, the very best targeted markets are municipal waste management programs. In 1983, the United States produced 57 lbs. per person, per year, of biosolids. The total figure for the U.S. was expected to double by the year 2000 because of the rapid population growth. It is now the year 2011 and 28 years have passed since these figures were initially released. The transportation of waste water residue has indeed increased, and the demand for vacuum trucks to address this problem has significantly risen, just as predicted. The transportation of biosolids is indeed an important reason for the usefulness of vacuum trucks in any water management system!