KTA towanda service area lagoon desludging

The Kansas Turnpike Authority is requesting bids for lagoon desludging services at the Towanda Service Area wastewater treatment facility located at Mile Marker 65 on I-35, with bids due October 21, 2026. The scope requires removal of approximately 586 dry tons of accumulated sludge from lagoon cell #1 of a three-cell controlled discharge system and land application of the liquid sewage sludge to designated sites within Butler County.

The contract is structured as a single lump-sum agreement with three unit price items: mobilization, removal of accumulated sludge, and land application of sludge. The sludge volume is approximately 96,800 cubic feet (724,100 gallons). The contractor must comply with EPA 40 CFR 503 biosolids regulations and Kansas Department of Health and Environment standards; obtain landowner permissions for six identified land application sites encompassing 40 to 130 acres; collect soil samples from designated application areas; complete EPA documentation; and maintain a 200-foot setback from existing wells. Laboratory analysis of sludge from April 2026 shows copper at 3.66 mg/kg, nickel at 2.98 mg/kg, and zinc at 18.2 mg/kg—all below EPA ceiling limits. Sludge contains total Kjeldahl nitrogen at 3,390.8 mg/kg and phosphorus at 2,820 mg/kg dry basis, which will determine allowable application rates per acre. A 30-day waiting period applies before animal grazing or crop harvest for animal feed; a one-year restriction applies to turf grass harvest.

The KTA seeks a well-managed, financially stable contractor with demonstrated technical abilities in wastewater treatment and high customer service standards. The contractor must furnish all tools, labor, materials, equipment, dewatering systems, and temporary facilities at its own expense; obtain all permits; maintain wastewater treatment continuity during construction; and restrict operations to the facility fence line and approved land application sites. A 5% bid bond is required. The contract becomes effective upon final execution and satisfaction of KTA Contractual Provisions Form No. 236 and all applicable legal requirements. The facility's lagoons have operated for 23 years without desludging and are exempt from pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction requirements under the KDHE and EPA Region 7 agreement.