The Village of Clinton, New York, has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Estian Partners Management Company LLC to explore development of a Regional Biosolids Hub at the Clinton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The agreement, signed June 25, outlines a potential partnership to finance, design, build and operate the biosolids facility as well as upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The 50-year-old facility requires improvements to its electrical system, building facilities, liquid treatment train and biosolids systems, according to a village resolution authorizing the agreement.

The proposed Regional Biosolids Hub would use autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) to process biosolids from Clinton and neighboring municipalities within a 50-mile radius.

The biosolids hub, liquid treatment train improvements and electrical upgrades are estimated to cost $28.5 million. More than half of the project is proposed to be financed through grant funding, with 30% coming from Estian Equity and the remainder from a Bridge-to-State Revolving Fund term loan.

Under Estian's proposed project finance model, a special-purpose entity would fund and manage the improvements, reducing the amount of municipal debt carried by the village. The memorandum also states that service fees would be structured around current biosolids management costs.

The MOU does not obligate either party to proceed with the project.