Moulton Niguel navigates landfill restrictions and contractor shifts for grit disposal

Moulton Niguel navigates landfill restrictions and contractor shifts for grit disposalFacing local landfill bans on high-organic wastewater screenings, the Moulton Niguel Water District has approved a $325,000 hauling contract to transport grit to distant facilities, incorporating floating fuel surcharges to manage market volatility.

The district awarded a three-year, $325,000 contract to Roloff Solutions after the incumbent, Athens Services, declined to bid.

Orange County landfills refuse to accept the district's grit and screenings due to odor concerns and state organics reduction legislation.

Hauling costs are subject to a diesel fuel surcharge, currently around 10%, tied to the California Statewide Fuel Price Index.

The Moulton Niguel Water District is adjusting its operational logistics for wastewater solids disposal, approving a new three-year, $325,000 contract with Roloff Solutions for grit screening and carbon media hauling services. The move reflects the growing logistical and regulatory challenges of waste disposal in Southern California. During a June 8, 2026, Technical and Finance Committee meeting, Chief Plant Operator Robert Hess noted that the district's historical contractor, Athens Services, opted not to submit a proposal for the new contract. Staff indicated the incumbent wanted to move away from hauling preliminary treatment materials. Following a market search, the district selected Roloff Solutions over a competing bid from Ancon, citing better value and pricing negotiated by district staff. The procurement highlights regional disposal constraints for wastewater utilities. According to Hess, local landfills in Orange County will not accept grit and screenings due to high organic content, odor concerns, and state legislation mandating the reduction of organics sent to certain facilities. Consequently, the district must transport the material to more distant sites in Simi Valley or Kern County that are permitted and reliable. To ensure operational flexibility, the district has established separate accounts with three different landfills, moving away from a previous single-contract structure. Base hauling rates under the new agreement include $1,050 for two bins per trip for the regional treatment plant and $700 for a single bin from Plant 3A. Due to the limited number of companies performing this specialized hauling, the market is subject to pricing volatility. To manage this, the contract incorporates a diesel fuel surcharge tied to the California Statewide Fuel Price Index set by Caltrans. The surcharge, currently running at approximately 10%, is applied on top of the base hauling fees, a mechanism designed to protect both the district and the vendor from unpredictable fuel cost spikes.