UNSPSC 47101614: Sludge bulking agent

A chemical agent or diluting agent that is designed to adjust the sludge swelling by oxidizing agent processing, cohesive agent processing, adjustment of slurry return rate, biologic selector operation, biologic treating agent injection and others.

UNSPSC 47101614 Sludge bulking agent (Commodity) covers chemical additives and treatment products that state and local water and wastewater utilities deploy to manage sludge density, dewatering efficiency, and process control in treatment facilities. Recent solicitations reveal that this code is applied to a broader range of water-treatment and wastewater chemicals than the nominal commodity name suggests, including dewatering polymers, coagulants, corrosion-control additives, and specialty biocides used across potable-water treatment plants, wastewater reclamation facilities, and collection-system infrastructure. Issuing bodies include municipal water departments, regional water authorities, county water-and-sewerage districts, city public utilities divisions, and special-purpose water utilities. Large metropolitan areas and mid-sized cities dominate recent activity; repeat solicitors include the City of Waco (Texas), City of Dublin (Georgia), Gwinnett County (Georgia), Collier County (Florida), and Clean Water Services (Oregon). Contract structures typically run one to four years with annual renewal options, and many specify NSF 60/61 certification and AWWA standards compliance as mandatory gatekeepers. Estimated annual chemical spending at individual utilities ranges from under $130,000 to $4 million; the City of Dallas sewer odor and corrosion control agreement alone carries an estimated value of $10 million over thirty-six months.

Geographic concentration centers on Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Oregon, with secondary activity across Connecticut, California, and several other states. Representative recent opportunities include Collier County (Florida) requesting countywide water-treatment chemicals via ITB 268705 (due November 13, 2026) with annual estimated spending of approximately $4 million across 29 line items spanning ammonia, chlorine, polymers, and sodium hypochlorite for three water-treatment plants and six aquatic recreation facilities; the City of Waco posting nine separate IFBs and RFBs from July through August 2026 for liquid chlorine, cationic dewatering polymers, liquid oxygen, sodium hydroxide, and specialty coagulants across municipal treatment and reclamation facilities; the City of DeLand (Florida) soliciting water chemicals under ITB B-26-18 (due September 15, 2026) for polymer flocculants, liquid chlorine, and aluminum sulfate serving the Wiley M. Nash Water Reclamation Facility; and Clean Water Services (Oregon) requesting sodium hydroxide solution and sodium bisulfite under two separate ITBs (SX3435000017998 and SX3435000017997, both due September 30, 2026) on a twelve-month term. Preference and set-aside programs are common; several Florida jurisdictions apply local-vendor preferences, and Dallas requires Small Business Enterprise participation with a 30 percent aspirational goal. Pre-approval of alternate products is standard practice—Rockland County Sewer District's degreaser procurement (RFBRC2026067, due November 12, 2026) limits award to pre-approved formulations only, with sample submission required by October 28. Performance bonds and insurance thresholds (typically $1 million combined general and auto liability) are near-universal. Lead times for response often compress to 30–60 days from posting to bid opening, with sample testing or pre-bid questions due 1–3 weeks before the bid deadline.