UNSPSC 76121603: Sludge disposal

UNSPSC 76121603 Sludge disposal is a Commodity code capturing the removal, hauling, transportation, and final disposition of treatment residuals and accumulated solids from water and wastewater infrastructure. State and local governments buy sludge removal under this code through a mix of direct hauling contracts, dewatering and dredging services, and disposal facility arrangements—work that ranges from routine liquid biosolids transport to emergency dewatering of treatment plant lagoons and sedimentation basins.

Recent solicitations show activity concentrated in water treatment plant sludge removal (Sacramento County Water Agency, Hartwell Water Treatment Plant, Temple and Myersville WWTPs), wet well cleaning and disposal (Clayton County Water Authority), and transport of liquid biosolids between facilities (Volusia County). State and local issuers include county water authorities, municipalities, and state environmental services agencies. The geographic spread spans California (Sacramento County), Georgia (Hartwell, Clayton County, Lowndes County), Texas (Temple), Florida (Volusia County), Connecticut (Norwich), Maryland (Maryland Environmental Service), and Oregon (Clackamas County). Sacramento County Water Agency posted a request for sludge removal and waste collection at the Vineyard Surface Water Treatment Plant (RFB 2026-RFB-0054, due June 26, 2026) with one-year recurring service at approximately nine-ton loads. The City of Hartwell, Georgia solicited dredging and disposal of alum sludge from two lagoons (approximately 3,315 cubic yards total, ITB due July 28, 2026). Maryland Environmental Service issued a Small Business Reserve procurement for liquid sludge hauling from four central-region WWTPs across Washington and Frederick Counties (due May 26, 2026, approximately 309,000 gallons annually). Volusia County requested transport of liquid biosolids from eight county treatment plants to a regional facility (ITB due June 30, 2026, with local preference applied and annual volumes ranging from 4,000 to 1.2 million gallons per facility). Contract terms typically run one year with renewal options; compensation is commonly unit-price-based (per gallon or per ton), and all require compliance with state solid waste and environmental regulations, EPA requirements, and often prevailing wage. Haulers must maintain appropriate licensing, liability insurance, and regulatory permits.