Solids Handling Improvement Project (SHIP)

Goleta Sanitary District is undertaking the Solids Handling Improvement Project (SHIP) at its Water Resource Recovery Facility in Goleta, California, to modernize biosolids processing and move toward energy neutrality. The facility, which currently treats approximately 4.9 million gallons per day of wastewater, relies on existing infrastructure including three mesophilic anaerobic digesters, screw thickeners, and screw presses to manage primary and waste activated sludge. A 2016 condition assessment identified aging equipment nearing end of life, prompting the development of a Biosolids and Energy Strategic Plan in 2019, which recommended upgrading solids handling systems to address regulatory risks, expand beneficial reuse options, and improve operational reliability. The SHIP will introduce a thermal dryer facility to convert dewatered biosolids into Class A biosolids, significantly reducing reliance on off-site hauling and enhancing product quality for land application. Associated components include a natural gas-fired thermal heater system with future biogas conversion capability, loadout facilities for truck transport, civil and structural upgrades, electrical and instrumentation systems, and a dedicated fire pump. The project is designed to increase firm capacity by ensuring continued treatment performance even when critical units are offline and aligns with long-term goals of energy self-sufficiency and regulatory compliance. The project is scheduled for construction between March 2026 and August 2027, with key phases including demolition, site preparation, utility installation, building construction, commissioning, and startup. All work will occur on-site at the Goleta WRRF located at One William Moffett Place, with final product delivery occurring from new loadout facilities at the same location. The facility currently operates under California’s environmental regulatory framework, including compliance with CEQA, and has coordinated with agencies such as the FAA due to proximity to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. While no formal contract pricing, clause language, or federal acquisition regulations are specified in the available documentation, the project is being administered by GSD with Steve Wagner as the primary point of contact. Environmental sampling, laboratory testing, and compliance verification will be conducted through third-party labs, with samples subject to strict temperature and preservation standards to ensure data integrity. No solicitation number or contract value is publicly identified, and while socioeconomic or small business set-asides are not indicated, the project is categorized under NAICS code 236210 for commercial and industrial building construction. The successful implementation of SHIP will position GSD to improve biosolids disposition, reduce transportation costs and