FAQs • Pierce County, WA • CivicEngage

I can't find SoundGRO anywhere. Can't you just make more?: Simply put, there’s no way to “turn up the tap” on our supply. Pierce County’s Sewer Division makes SoundGRO fertilizer from byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. SoundGRO supply is limited by inflow to the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. On average, we can produce about 40 tons per week.

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PW - SoundGRO

1. What is SoundGRO?: SoundGRO is the natural choice fertilizer product for your landscaped areas and vegetable gardens. SoundGRO® is a slow-release fertilizer that contains nutrients and micronutrients that are vital for the healthy growth of your plants. SoundGRO® fertilizer is manufactured at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and is made from solids that are removed from the wastewater treatment process known as biosolids. SoundGRO® meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) highest standards for biosolid safety and is classified as Class A "Exceptional Quality" product. Learn how SoundGRO is manufactured.

2. What is Class A 'Exceptional Quality'?: 'Exceptional Quality' Class A biosolids meet stringent standards imposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for heavy metal content and the elimination of harmful bacteria.

3. What does the 5-5-0 on the label mean?: The 5-5-0 on the front of the package is the product's N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium) ratio. Five percent of the fertilizer is nitrogen and five percent is phosphorous. SoundGRO can be blended with other amendments or supplements if a different ratio is desired.

4. Where can I use SoundGRO?: SoundGRO is well suited to home, commercial and agricultural uses. It can be applied anywhere you would use traditional commercial fertilizer and is perfect for shrubs, trees, garden beds, ornamental grasses and in farming. Because of statewide fertilizer restrictions, SoundGRO is not approved for general use on turf, but is excellent for establishing new grass and repairing damaged lawns using either seed or sod.

5. How do I order SoundGRO?: Order requests are accepted online through www.soundgro.com only and are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. For current information on availability and specials, sign up for the SoundGRO Mailing List.

6. Why can't I buy individual bags at the treatment plant anymore?: Due to construction activities at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, direct bag sales were discontinued to protect public safety. Individual bags may be available locally through retail distributors.

7. Is SoundGRO similar to TAGRO?: SoundGRO and TAGRO are both made locally from Class A “Exceptional Quality” biosolids. While the City of Tacoma blends their biosolids with organic material and other soil products to make TAGRO, Pierce County dries our biosolids into a small pellet. If you have good results with one product, you may also find success with the other but in a different application.

8. How is SoundGRO different from chemical fertilizers?: SoundGRO is a slow release fertilizer with a very low salt-index compared to traditional chemical based fertilizers. The nitrogen in SoundGRO is broken down by microorganisms in the soil before being absorbed by the plant. Slow-release prevents initial growth spurts in plants. It also ensures that the fertilizer works over a longer period of time, reducing the number of fertilizer applications required in a year. SoundGRO does not need to be watered in.

9. Does SoundGRO contain heavy metals?: Most fertilizers contain small amounts of heavy metals. Several metals such as zinc are beneficial for human health and essential to healthy plant growth. Metals like lead and arsenic may pose a risk to human health if concentration levels are too high. The EPA and WSDA have adopted strict content standards for these metals in biosolids fertilizer. SoundGro meets these standards.

10. I have a small yard and only need a few bags. Where can I buy them?: Individual 50-pound bags may be available locally through one of our retail distributors. This list is provided as a courtesy only. Availability is not guaranteed. Please contact individual retailers for supply information.

11. I can't find SoundGRO anywhere. Can't you just make more?: Simply put, there’s no way to “turn up the tap” on our supply. Pierce County’s Sewer Division makes SoundGRO fertilizer from byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. SoundGRO supply is limited by inflow to the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. On average, we can produce about 40 tons per week.