Resource Recovery Program

The Gas Sphere - is a Methane Gas Holding Sphere (holds 69,450 cu feet of Methane Gas)

Wastewater treatment produces several byproducts, many of which have valuable, beneficial uses.

At the Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility, we take pride in recovering and utilizing these resources efficiently and sustainably.

Biogas: A Renewable Energy Source

One of our most important byproducts is biogas — a renewable energy source made mostly of methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. We produce biogas during part of the process that breaks down sludge without oxygen.

At our facility, biogas helps reduce energy costs and supports sustainability in two major ways:

  • Heating Systems: Biogas fuels our boiler systems. They provide heat to some of the equipment used in the process and several buildings throughout the facility.
  • Electricity Generation: A portion of biogas is used to generate electricity, meeting up to 40% of the facility’s electrical needs.

Biogas helps us reduce our need for non-renewable energy sources and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

We use the Methane Gas to power the Boilers which heats the Digesters that process the sludge and also to produce heat in several of the buildings on the Water Reclamation Campus.

Biosolids

Biosolids are another important byproduct of wastewater treatment. They are organic material made up of microbes that have finished their life cycle and are removed from the process.

We are currently upgrading our biosolids handling facility, with the project scheduled to finish in June 2028.

Biosolids Disposal

The Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility disposes of biosolids at the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill.

Our team makes sure the biosolids meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SD DANR).

We also send biosolids to other wastewater treatment facilities to help them start or restart their processes quickly. This benefits both sides: it reduces our biosolids inventory and helps the other facility speed up its operations.

Offload of biosolids for the landfill or other reclamation facilities

What’s Next

As Sioux Falls grows and regulations evolve, we continue exploring new resource recovery opportunities, including:

  • Converting biogas to natural gas pipeline quality
  • Land application of biosolids
  • Composting of biosolids
  • Nutrient recovery
  • Effluent water reuse

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