Water from the Mulberry facility is discharged directly into the Cache la Poudre River. The Drake facility mainly discharges water into the Fossil Creek Ditch to be used by farmers for irrigation. Water also goes to Rawhide Power Plant as part of a reuse agreement. Back to Map Anaerobic Digester - This process reduces the pathogens and odors of the incoming sludge. The anaerobic digester mixes and heats the sludge in an enclosed tank without oxygen.
Anaerobic bacteria break down organics and produce methane gas.
This gas is burned in boilers to supply heat for the process and for facility buildings. After 30 to 60 days, the sludge is ready for dewatering. Back to Map Dewatering and Beneficial Use - Liquid biosolids have the water taken out through chemical and physical processes. The resulting solid material is trucked to local farms and applied as a soil conditioner and fertilizer.