Daniel E. Collins

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A Strategic Plan & Environmental Management System Lead Chicago to Composting for Class A Biosolids

Daniel E. Collins, Biosolids & Enviromental Management System Consultant, Collins Environmental, LLC

A triple bottom line analysis was utilized to support Chicago's strategic plan and Environmental Management Program in choosing a Class A technology for improved biosolids products.

Dan retired from MWRD Chicago after 30+ years in biosolids management, beneficially utilizing over two million tons of biosolids throughout his career. Under his management landfill disposal was eliminated, Class A products increased, and annual costs were reduced, ranging from $2-6M per WRP, through chemical, energy and maintenance cost savings and other best management practices.  He implemented a GIS program for tracking metals, nitrogen and other loadings on farmland and, introduced two methods of composting in an effort to achieve a higher quality product. He was instrumental in legislative changes made in Illinois for biosolids acceptance and use.     Dan served on an expert panel in Detroit for Biosolids Master Planning and has mentored various cities such as Houston, TX and Vancouver, B.C. in Environmental Management System implementation.  He is an Illinois Water Environment Association’s Past President, current WEF Delegate, serves on IWEA, WEF and NACWA Biosolids Committees, is a member of USCC and is the Chair of WEF’s National Biosolids Partnership’s Subcommittee.    Since his retirement in 2017, Dan has been consulting in Biosolids and Environmental Management System fields while providing QA/QC consulting services for biosolids master planning.    Professional Service and Affiliations  Water Environment Federation: Chair of the National Biosolids Partnership  Residuals and Biosolids Committee, Residuals and Biosolids Sustainability Sub-Committee, WEFTEC Program Committee for Biosolids  IWEA: President (2017-2018), Executive Board (2014-2019, 2022-2025), WEF Delegate (2022-2025), Biosolids Committee Chairperson (2010-14), Biosolids Committee (2007-Present), Golf Committee Chair (2019-2023), InFlow and Membership Committees (2019-2022)  NACWA: Residuals and Biosolids Committee  U.S. Composting Council:  Member