Biosolids

[powerscol]

I have worked with the stuff for years. It has its place. Back in the 80's Chicago's sludge was barged below Peoria and applied to the coal strip mine areas where nothing would grow. Its now a wildlife heaven. Did it stink - you bet! They initially had a terrable time getting plants to grow until they found some native grass and shrub seeds for Kansas. Iowa, Western Illinois ad Ohio. The native seed from hundreds of years ago

Now I am very surprised it is allowed to be sprayed on. Outside of Glenwood Springs Colorado they did an injection process on corn fields. It was applied about 18" under the ground - no stink unless a hose broke. Whats critical is to know what in your sludge. If it is a local town with no big factories or battery places, it can be pretty clean. Some sludge like from Detroit can be a heavy metal nightmare.

In college I worked on my senior project with some CAT engineers that were trying to remove the heavy metals from their processing waste. They used Kudzu plants and natural cattails along with other plants (think overgrown wetlands) Several times a year they harvested the plants and re processed them to capture some of the exotic and valuable metals to re-use. They were always trying to improve the process. I worked on the final water process finding natural elements for the final purification. It went to a neighboring farm for irrigation.

Bottom line if it is processed correctly it is safe, If they cant provide proof of proper processing stay away. They should also be able to give you a nutrient list and PH. Do a soil test before using. Also wear a full mask when applying.

 

[5030]

It's only waste from certain animals, generally with a vegetarian diet. You aren't running the risk of uptaking the same toxins and pathogens which your body has already rejected once.

Livestock manure and human waster are 2 entirely different things. Livestock manure comes eating legumes, human waste is can be everything from used tampons to flushed prescription drugs to decaying meat to motor oil flushed down the sewer to whatever. With farm animals (I raise cattle), none of that exists and I incorporate livestock manure on my fields and in my garden as well. I'd rather smell livestock manure laying on a field that anhydrous ammonia any day.

 

[5030]

Exactly. Biosolids is a misnomer. A lot of it is not bio anything, it is just anything that can be flushed plus commercial waste. Granted most of it is turds but it does not take a high percentage of bad stuff to become a problem. Cities ought to keep it and put it on their lawns and street trees.

One thing about municipal sewage plants, the turds get blended in so you'll never see a turd in the mix.....

 

[stuckmotor]

snip - So, the next question would be, who checks on imported ag products? Probably no one except maybe the wholesale buyers.

That question has come into my mind many times.

 

[52wej]

Like Powerscol I have worked in the water and waste industry for over 30 years. Biosolids are just what the name says - dead bacteria from the waste treatment process. In a properly run waste water (sewage) plant all of the miscellaneous inert materials including grit are removed before the main treatment process. Then all of the organic material is allowed to be eaten by the bacteria.. In simplest terms a waste water plant is a big bacteria feeding factory. Bring the sewage in, strain it, puree it, and feed it to the bugs under very carefully monitored conditions, then filter out the bugs before the liquid is discharged. Usually the goal is a minimum of 99.9999% removal of all solid and organic material.That requires a lot of money, energy, and sophisticated technology. BUT, as has been noted it does not removed dissolved metals, toxins, or pharmaceuticals. And that is the danger of the material. If you do not have an accurate lab test you have no way to know what you are receiving. Heck you can tell how much of a drug problem a community has by simply testing the wastewater.

The reason it is desired, as others have noted, is that is has very high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, major nutrients needed by plants. But you have to know what is in it. Most cities that have a lot of industry just landfill it. I remember one incident where a farmer got in several loads of biosolids in a neighboring county, piled it up and let it go septic then spread it on the fields.To describe that as a disaster is an understatement. It stinks enough normally, but when allowed to rot.................

THere are some processes that minimize the smell and add lime to it to make it a more desirable product.. Depending on the source there may or may not be any harmful chemicals present. But only an expensive test will verify what is in it. That is why most localities do not allow it to be spread. W. Jones

 

[ddbackhoe]

The reason it is desired, as others have noted, is that is has very high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, major nutrients needed by plants. But you have to know what is in it. Most cities that have a lot of industry just landfill it.
THere are some processes that minimize the smell and add lime to it to make it a more desirable product.. W. Jones

Exactly where the potential lies. High N and free lime. Ive decided neither are worth taking a chance on though.

 

[MossRoad]

Biosolids: mix human waste with toxic chemicals, then spread on crops | Environment | The Guardian