Amherst wastewater chief flags sludge-hauling, energy and unfunded mandates as major cost drivers

Jeff Burrows, commissioner of the wastewater treatment plant, gave a technical overview of the plant’s multi-stage treatment process and a breakdown of non-personnel operating costs. He said the plant operates on 84 acres, treats billions of gallons annually, and produces significant energy demand both to pump wastewater and to aerate treatment basins.

Burrows said sludge hauling and disposal accounts for about $1.7 million of non-personnel costs (roughly 20%) and that utility costs run about $1.8 million, with electricity accounting for the largest share. "Utility costs are $1,800,000," he said. Chemical costs — chlorine, sodium bisulfite, polymer and odor control — account for roughly 14% of the plant’s non-personnel budget, and sludge disposal remains a growing expense as fewer landfills accept biosolids.

Burrows also described recent permit and regulatory changes as unfunded mandates. He said PFAS-related sampling through the pretreatment program and other emerging monitoring could cost at least $10,000–$20,000 per year as guidance is finalized, and that a required capacity, management and operations plan has driven roughly $2,000,000 per year in sewer rehabilitation, lining and repairs. He said capital projects under way — including a funded oxygen separation project — should save about 2.8 million kWh (~$300k–$350k/year) in electrical costs once online.