Waste is Useful?

Preface: In other parts of the world, biosolids (human waste) from sewage treatment plants are treated and used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer. Research the pros and cons of this method and take a stand as to whether this can be a realistic alternative to our current agricultural practices. Who are the potential stake holders in this issue? Are we influenced by the western view of human waste as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance?

Background. Like every other human being in this world, at least once in my entire life I have inquired where all the waste that we produce goes. Have you ever wondered what happens to the ‘junk’ after you use the washroom? When I was younger I always thought that the government would have a specific area to put the waste in, like a huge bath tub, but as I grew up I realized how foolish I was. With all the human bodies on our mother Earth there must be millions to millions of toilet’s being flushed each second. Imagine the waste! That sounds pretty disgusting doesn’t it? Now, as I ponder about the situation, there must be some way to use the leftovers without resorting to pollution. This is where our main discussion, ‘biosolids’ enter the scene.

What Are Biosolids? I personally have never heard of the word ‘biosolids’ until this bio blog, and let me tell you, it is one interesting method of using our waste. Biosolids are the nutrient-rich solid organic matter recovered from the treatment of domestic wastewater in a facility specialized for this activity. It is at times referred to as ‘treated sludge’, that is stabilized and suitable for beneficial use. This process seems similar to recycling and reusing. For example, after we use the washroom, our waste then goes through the wastewater treatment facility to be stabilized, which is recycling, and then it is used for our beneficial purposes, which would be reusing. How funny is that, recycling your waste? When the waste is treated and processed it is then used as a fertilizer to improve and maintain productive agricultural soils and enhance plant growth. Biosolids are used as a fertilizer because they are a beneficial resource, containing essential plant nutrients and organic matter.

How Does It Work? We already know that biosolids are created through the treatment of domestic wastewater generated from sewage treatment facilities. The government has created underground pipes that are specifically used as a filtration process for the wastewater. During this process, bacteria and other microorganisms break down components in the wastewater into simpler and stable forms of organic matter while the non organic matter is transformed into sludge. Wastewater is treated not only to breakdown components, but to control pathogens and other organisms that are capable of spreading diseases. In Ontario we have four wastewater facilities due to the large landmass and population. The four wastewater plant treatments are Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant, Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant , Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, and as well as North Toronto Wastewater Treatment Plant.


What’s Good? It is statistically proven that biosolids are very useful to our society. The EPA, also known as the US Environmental Protection Agency, approves and supports the use of biosolids recycling and encourages the land application of biosolids. We benefit from biosolids through our crop production. This means that biosolids are very valuable fertilizers that are used to help farmers grow their crops. By using biosolids as fertilizers, we are able to conserve land rather than dumping it in areas such as landfills which is bad for the earth and occupies space. Not only is it useful for conserving land, biosolids reduces the use of chemical sprays and other chemical products that are used to grow and preserve crops. The chemical substances that farmers normally use to fertilize their crops pollute the environment. This is why biosolids are now used for agricultural use of crops.

According to the EPA biosolids contain organic matter that assists with binding soil particles. Both biosolids land application and composting can reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. The result of this connection is improved soil properties, for example the texture and water-holding capacity of the soil. This enhances root growth and the vegetation will have an increased resistance of drought. The application of biosolids to the soil supplies organic nutrients that are slowly released to plants. These organic forms of nutrients are water soluble and less likely to leach into groundwater.

It seems that the recycling of biosolids through land application and other methods is an economical benefit. Biosolids are the alternate to disposal and can conserve landfill space, because in most communities disposals are quite pricey because of diminishing landfill capacity. Biosolids recycling can lower a community’s waste disposal costs.

What’s Bad? Biosolids are very beneficial to our society but it smells very disgusting. The odors that biosolids emit are caused by the compounds of plant nutrients sulfur and ammonia. The smell is not pleasing and may disturb individuals, especially those with sensitive noses. The odor that biosolids cause is not the only negative problem to this process. It has been said that biosolids are the cause of many health problems that occur to citizens who live remotely near to any wastewater treatment plant. For example the woman in this video voices her health situation in which the doctors blame the chemical processes of biosolids.



Biosolids contain metals, and other substances which are needed for the growth of plants. The situation is that large quantities of metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens are harmful to us and the environment. Metals that are present such as cadmium, zinc, and copper may damage agricultural soils if they are at high levels. These dangerous health issues caused the government to create a 503 regulation, which limits the amount of metals that a person can use for land application.

Other than the potential health hazards and the odor that biosolids may cause, one of the biggest problems is the irreversible effects and contamination resulting from the accumulation of industrial waste.

The Conclusion Is…It never occurred to me how useful biosolids are till now. The components and processes obviously disgust me, but knowing that biosolids have the ability help our environment gives me a positive view. Although the uses of biosolids are risky, I think they are proven to be very good for our soils. Do you honestly know any industrial process that contains no risks or hazards? I believe that people have negative feedback on biosolids because the solution is foreign to them. There is an always negative problem regarding human activity that concerns our environment and health. I really like this use of waste because biosolids can be used as fertilizers rather than occupying space in landfill areas. This is probably the most positive quality of biosolids.

The stakeholders in this issue include farmers, gardeners, and us people. Those who are exposed to this wastewater treatment are a concern. Farmers have the decision to use biosolids for the production and growth of their crop, it is not compulsory. Gardeners are just like the farmers; their use of biosolids is for leisure, so it is their opinion as to whether biosolids are safe. In my opinion, the western view of human waste as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance does not affect me, or anyone else. It is your own opinion, your own view, and your own choice.

Sources:
http://www.biosolids.com/basics.html
http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp
http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/WaterAndWasteWaterDev/Reports+and+Studies/FAQBiosolids.htm
http://www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf