Greater Lawrence Sanitary Dist

What Greater Lawrence Sanitary Dist does

Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) is a legislatively chartered municipal sanitary district established by Chapter 750 of the Massachusetts Acts of 1968, operating a regional wastewater and biosolids treatment system that serves six communities — Lawrence, Methuen, and Andover in Massachusetts, North Andover and Dracut in Massachusetts, and Salem in New Hampshire — collectively representing approximately 250,000 residents. The district's main treatment facility is located at 240 Charles Street in North Andover, Massachusetts, with a rated capacity of 50 MGD and peak flow handling capacity of 165 MGD, processing an average of 30 MGD (11 billion gallons annually) under typical operating conditions.

GLSD's core technology is a five-step wastewater treatment process combining preliminary treatment, primary clarification, biological aeration treatment, disinfection and dechlorination, and biosolids management. The biosolids stream is processed through anaerobic digestion, centrifuge dewatering, and rotary drum drying into Class A fertilizer pellets (95% solids). A distinguishing capital feature is the Organics-to-Energy / Project Net-Zero installation — two 1.6 MW combined heat and power engines fueled by biogas from co-digestion of biosolids and food waste, operational since December 2019, which makes GLSD a net-positive energy producer generating approximately 70,000 kWh daily and saving approximately $3 million annually in energy costs. The district also operates an EPA-approved Industrial Pretreatment Program regulating non-residential discharges from hospitals, pharmaceutical, chemical, dairy, textile, and metal finishing facilities.

GLSD's revenue model is primarily based on annual assessments billed to each of its six member municipalities (Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Dracut, and Salem NH) in four installments, with allocations driven by prior-year flow volumes covering operations, maintenance, debt service, and capital costs. Individual residential users are not billed directly. Secondary revenue streams include septage disposal fees ($0.085/gallon for both in-district and out-of-district communities, serving approximately 30 surrounding watershed communities), commercial RV/camper septic disposal ($50 flat fee, with free service for residential motorhomes), and polymer product sales. The district is governed by an independent Board of Commissioners appointed by member communities, and is staffed by approximately 40 personnel including licensed wastewater operators, industrial mechanics, chemists, and administrative professionals, with day-to-day operations led by Executive Director Cheri R. Cousens, P.E.

Name

Greater Lawrence Sanitary Dist

Legal name

Greater Lawrence Sanitary District

Website

https://glsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Greater Lawrence Sanitary District is a Massachusetts-chartered municipal sanitary district that operates a regional wastewater and biosolids treatment system serving approximately 250,000 residents across six communities (Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Dracut, and Salem NH) through a five-step treatment process and a net-positive energy Organics-to-Energy facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Wastewater Treatment

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (221320), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Sanitary Services (4950), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Sludge/Biosolids Handling, Dewatering & Beneficial Reuse (BPALAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wastewater Treatment Plant Biogas & CHP (EUACAIAE), Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment & Treatment Services (BPALAMAC)

Keywords

• Wastewater treatment services
• Biosolids management
• Industrial pretreatment
• Municipal sanitary services
• Septage disposal

Headquarters

HQ city

North Andover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Assessments: The district bills an annual assessment to each member community (Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Dracut, and Salem NH), payable in four installments typically. Individual residential users are not billed directly. Communities are assessed operations and maintenance fees based on flow received from each community in the previous calendar year. A fixed percentage is applied to debt service and capital costs.
2. Septage Disposal Fees: Fees charged for septage disposal from in-district and out-of-district communities. Rate of $0.085 per gallon for all communities (implemented July 1, 2023). Accepts septage from approximately 30 surrounding watershed communities in addition to the six member communities.
3. Commercial Septage Disposal: Flat fee of $50 for commercial RVs and campers to dispose of septic waste. Free service for residential motorhome/RV/camper septic disposal.
4. Polymer Product Sales: Sale of dry or emulsion polymer products for centrifuge and gravity belt dewatering operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) operates a regional five-step wastewater treatment system (collection, preliminary/primary treatment, biological treatment, disinfection/dechlorination, and biosolids management) serving six member communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The district also runs an EPA-approved Industrial Pretreatment Program, biosolids-to-fertilizer processing via anaerobic digestion and rotary drum drying, septage disposal services for haulers, and the Project Net-Zero organics-to-energy program that converts food waste into biogas for combined heat and power generation.

Product overview

GLSD operates as a municipal wastewater treatment facility (rated 52 MGD capacity) providing integrated environmental services to six communities in the Greater Lawrence area. The core offering is a five-step wastewater treatment process (collection, preliminary/primary treatment, biological treatment, disinfection/dechlorination, and biosolid management). GLSD's services include solid waste management converting biosolids to fertilizer and fuel, an EPA-approved Industrial Pretreatment Program with onsite laboratory, septage disposal, and motorhome waste disposal. Major sustainability initiatives include Project Net-Zero/Organics-to-Energy which converts food waste to biogas to achieve net-zero energy. The facility also manages Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) events through high flow treatment systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced GHG emissions by 20% (equivalent to taking 1,035 cars off the road)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Synagro Technologies, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 December 2025Synagro operates and maintains the biosolids drying facility for GLSD under a design-build-operate agreement. The facility achieves HPR (Highly Protected Risk) designation from FM Global. Synagro is North America's leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics, and residuals.
• UConn EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UConn received $3M in federal funding for wastewater research. Researchers toured GLSD to study anaerobic digestion optimization and biogas production improvement at co-digestion facilities.
• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NEIWPCC partnered with GLSD on Youth and Environment Program (YEP) for high school student internships. Also collaborated on Massachusetts Wastewater Management Leadership Program for operator professional development.
• Massachusetts Water Environment Association (MAWEA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Professional association that recognized GLSD staff (Karen Driggers, Christopher Joaquin) through awards. Hosts operator exchange programs and professional development training.
• Massachusetts Clean Energy CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio participated in Climate Week events with GLSD. Organization supports clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives in Massachusetts utilities.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017EPA established GLSD's Industrial Pretreatment Program requirements through the Federal Clean Water Act. Also recognized GLSD's program for excellence in 2024. Sponsored Youth and Environment Program at GLSD facilities.
• Wright-PiercecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2002Designed the Biosolids Drying Facility along with New England Fertilizer Company. Also conducted Updated Conceptual Plan Development Report (2004) with significant revisions to headworks design and secondary system improvements.
• New England Fertilizer CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2002Original developer of the biosolids drying facility under design-build-operate procurement. Facility designed to process 28 dry tons per day average and 38 dry tons per day maximum.
• CDM SmithcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1977Designed original GLSD facilities and numerous major improvement projects including Secondary System Expansion (1987-1989), Draft Long-Term CSO Control Plan, and WWTF Improvements for CSO Abatement Project.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission: Independent Massachusetts authority providing wastewater collection and treatment services across Boston with comparable scale, regulatory framework, and combined sewer overflow management mandates.
• Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA): Massachusetts' largest regional water and wastewater authority, operating similarly structured wholesale wastewater services across 43 communities with biosolids processing and combined sewer overflow programs. Closest scale and governance peer to GLSD within Massachusetts.
• DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority): Large municipal wastewater utility with comparable advanced biosolids management, combined heat and power from anaerobic digestion, and significant capital investment programs. Often cited as a model for innovative public wastewater utilities.
• Clean Water Services (Washington County, OR): Oregon water resources and wastewater utility recognized for energy neutrality, biogas-to-energy programs, and water reuse innovation. Operates with a similar capital-intensive utility model and sustainability-first mandate.
• Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District: Massachusetts regional wastewater district serving multiple Worcester-area communities with a similar statutory framework, multi-municipal governance structure, and assessment-based revenue model.
• Narragansett Bay Commission: Rhode Island's regional wastewater treatment authority serving multiple communities with advanced treatment and biosolids programs. Operates as a quasi-governmental entity with similar statutory authority model to GLSD.

Others

• CDM Smith: Global engineering firm that designed GLSD's original facilities and major capital improvement projects including Secondary System Expansion and CSO Control Plan. Comparable as enabling partner for wastewater infrastructure design and program management across the municipal sector.

Emerging players

• Synagro Technologies: North America's leading provider of biosolids and residuals management services, currently operating GLSD's biosolids drying facility under DBO agreement. Comparable in biosolids technology, digesters, and Class A product delivery, with national scale GLSD lacks.

Broad incumbents

• American Water Works Company: Largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility serving over 14 million people. Provides comparable regulated utility services at much larger scale across multiple states, often cited as the institutional reference for investor-owned wastewater utilities.
• Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions (North America): Global private-sector operator of municipal and industrial water/wastewater treatment facilities. Provides outsourced services, design-build-operate arrangements, and biosolids management that directly compete with GLSD's model for contract awards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-lawrence-sanitary-dist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Lawrence Sanitary Dist