During the wastewater treatment process, residuals are generated from the bottom of the Primary Sedimentation Tanks and the Final Settling Tanks. This sludge material is pumped into the Gravity Thickeners, where the solids are allowed to settle to the base of the tank. The thickened sludge is then sent to the belt filter presses to further remove water and increase the percentage of solids. The sludge is fed into thin film dryers that are operated at high temperatures to meet the time and temperature requirements of the facility’s Residual New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permit. Once the material has reached a solids content of approximately 50%, it is mixed with hydrated lime. The dryers and lime generate a high temperature and high pH environment that kills pathogens. This material is classified as MeadowLife® and is considered a Class A, Exceptional Quality (EQ) biosolids by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is thoroughly tested in accordance with the NJPDES permit and stored indoors until it is transported to the Middlesex County Landfill, where it is used as daily top cover.