Hot Springs high demand compost

Due to extremely high demand, compost from the Hot Spring’s compost facility on Davidson Drive is temporarily unavailable until approximately May 10, according to staff estimates. Recent cold, wet weather days have, to a lesser degree, slowed the production of both screened and unscreened compost.

This year to date, approximately 24,000 cubic yards of compost have been sold or given away at the city’s facility, said Ron Wacaster, Wastewater Treatment Plant manager. “Typically, compost consumption for an entire year is slightly above 40,000cubic yards, so we’ve had a very active first quarter,” Wacaster noted.

The city’s compost combines sludge from the wastewater treatment plant with leaves and brush that residents deposit at the compost facility. The compost is offered free to those who load it themselves, or customers can pay to have their compost loaded for them.

Customers are advised to call one of three numbers to check on availability before visiting the facility: the Compost Hotline, 321-6869, which offers updated, recorded information about the composting operation; Compost Shed, 802-1756; or Water Treatment Plant, 262-1125.