Sonoma Compost, in cooperation with the County of Sonoma and the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency just completed a 3+ acre expansion of its existing composting area. The expansion area is just north of the area where our compost windrows are located.

To comply with Water Quality Control Board requirements, the expansion area has an approximate 3% slope so stormwater will flow to the southeast corner of our site and drain into two settling ponds. Like the rest of our site, the expansion area has a working surface made from cement treated base rock. This impervious surface provides for all weather operation and prevents stormwater from infiltrating through it.

Aerated Static Pile – Pilot Project
Sonoma Compost is always seeking ways to make better use of our operating area.

This summer, we undertook an "Aerated Static Pile" pilot project on about an acre of our 18 acre site. Rather than composting feedstock in long windrows separated by wide aisles, the materials are formed into large blocks. Rather than being turned regularly, air is pulled through the pile by a large fan connected to perforated pipes located under the blocks of compost. Theoretically, this type of composting will allow a greater amount of material to be composted on a smaller footprint. The aeration system may also create conditions that allow for faster composting which will also allow greater material throughput.

This project is being overseen by Will Bakx, Sonoma Compost's soil scientist and operations manager.

As the pilot project progresses, we will determine:
1) if the finished product meets Sonoma Composts quality expectations;
2) if greater material throughput is actually possible; and,
3) if there are any environmental issues that would need to be addressed if this composting method is used on a larger scale.

Odor Control Misting System Installed
Earlier this year, Sonoma Compost installed a series of misters in an elevated pipeline at the east end of our composting site. The misters distribute a fine spray of water dosed with a very low concentration of an odor control enzyme. The location of the misting system allows it to intercept odors that can be carried off-site by prevailing winds.