FERTILIZERS, MANURE, OR BIOSOLIDS? Data compared. #sewage sludge #science http://www.hvmsd.org/docs/FERTILIZERS.pdf

Some of the research gaps have since been filled. Ineresting salmonella results. I've never seen salmonella in our B biosolids.

http://www.hvmsd.org/docs/FERTILIZERS.pdf

Many people make claims, but few cite sources! #science #sewage sludge #biosolids

Facts and Citations are important! Great resource! Thanks, Philidelphia
http://www.phila.gov/water/BR-Science_.html

Biosolids--Grounded in Sound Science

Finding: Biosolids are extremely safe when used in agriculture as a nutrient source and soil conditioner. They can be used in ways that do not endanger the environment or the food chain.

Source: Article for the October 1990 issue of BioCycle; Rufus L. Chaney discussed the impact of biosolids on the human diet and took an updated look at biosolids management regulations. Chaney is with the Soil-Microbial Systems Laboratory of Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Finding:  Biosolids provide nutrients and organic matter that can be used beneficially for growing crops. They can supply appreciable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. The return of organic solids to the soil will contribute to the maintenance of organic matter levels. Some biosolids also help neutralize acidity in soils (similar to the function played by agricultural limestone) so as to help maintain the proper soil pH for crop growth.

Source:  Lee W. Jacobs reviewed the agricultural application of biosolids for a recent book on biosolids. Jacobs is associate professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences of Michigan State University.

Finding:  Runoff from pastures receiving a surface application of biosolids exhibited the least overall potential for pollution when compared with pastureland that received applications of dairy and poultry manure or to commercial fertilizer.

Source:  One of the conclusions from a 1984 article in the Journal of Environmental Quality by R.V. McLeod and R.O. Hegg.

Finding:  Research into the application of biosolids to agricultural land for over 20 years indicates that properly applied, high quality biosolids can be safely utilized on crop and forest lands, for reclamation of disturbed lands, and on urban and residential turf grass and ornamental plantings.

Source:  The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) documented long-term experience of biosolids land application programs in a report issued in 1993.

Read more:  http://www.phila.gov/water/BR-Science_.html 

What recycling practice stores 17 times more carbon to soil than released to atmosphere? #didyouknow #climatechange #GHG

Another Awesome Poster from King County!  I love the graphic of the pie slices in how the benefits  from biosolids (aka treated sewage sludge) break down and this quote:

• Using field measurements from the county’s project sites, University of Washington researchers calculated 2.29 metric tons of carbon credits and only 0.135 metric tons of debits (from truck and equipment emissions). This means 17 times more carbon is being stored in the soil than is being released to the atmosphere.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wastewater/Biosolids/BiosolidsRecyclingProjects/~/media/environment/wastewater/biosolids/docs/1003_BSagPOSTER.ashx

This I Believe... #sewage sludge #biosolids #npr

This I Believe in the benefits, sustainability, and importance of raising awareness of biosolids (aka treated sewage sludge), the unsung hero. 

People that work with biosolids are often so focused on the technical aspects of their day to day jobs, they don’t often make their great work and knowledge easily accessible to the public.

Now with the advent of social media, discussions are occurring in new places. Many biosolids people just got internet sites and factsheets. We aren’t equipped to find and discuss our passion with the folks that are interested or have questions. It’s like having a booth at the County fair, but there’s no one there to talk to people. 

I’ve stood by silently for years, my voice handicapped by the communication structures surrounding me. I’ve watched as biosolids are vocally beaten down by inaccurate information and fear … again and again. Biosolids are made out to be a horrible monster polluting the world instead of the environmental hero that I believe they are.

But now I'm putting myself out here. And I’m praying my skin is thick enough! In today’s age of the internet, many want to remain anonymous and protect their privacy. But it doesn’t mean they are any less passionate about biosolids than I. I want you to know the truth about biosolids and about the men and woment working to protect your (public) health and our environment everday.

If you don’t know me, how can you trust me and my beliefs? I'm a wife - my husband is the green thumb in our family. He built a square foot garden in our condos’ tiny back yard (often featured in this blog). And he’s started raising worms in our garage a couple of years back. Besides being a sustainable way to manage kitchen scraps, it is great entertainment for our two boys and visitors. Since late 2002, I have worked with various angles of biosolids compliance, inspections, management practices, management systems, public participation, and communications - an integral part in all those aspects. Now it’s beyond work; I realize this is a passion that I need to expess.

I can’t be alone. Day in and day out, decade after decade, there are tens of thousands of operators, engineers, farmers, researchers, regulators, consultants, and support staff seeing the benefits of biosolids. Holding one another accountable to strict, protective standards. Continuously researching and improving our knowledge, understanding, and moving the bar higher and higher.

There are 16,0000 wastewater treatment plants. Most are small and reflective of our local communities. These plants have saved more lives than modern medicine. Sewage treatment keeps our nation’s population strong and healthy. Our clean water allows us to leave long, productive lives.  People in developing countries struggle daily to survive; if only they had the clean water and sanitation that we have.  Yet most American rarely consider how blessed we are in this regard, and how it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference.

From these simple facts and understanding, my passion is born and I can’t sit idly by any more. I may be a small voice in the internet’s vast forest of information, but at least I’m trying. Like the littlest Who in Whoville, maybe someone other than Horton will hear me.

Do you like yourself? Do you trust yourself? Biosolids (aka treated sewage sludge) comes from you and me. Everything we eat and do come through to this end product (yes, we there are lots of puns in biosolids).

·      Yes, your first impression is most likely, “Yuck!”  That’s human nature. We don’t eat our poop because it makes us sick. Lack of sanitation is unhealthy. Yet, as we learn more about it, we can begin to see another side of the coin. If we treat the poop. If we kill off the pathogens from our intestines that will ironically make us sick if we re-ingest them. If we can recycle this organic matter. If it is safe. If only we could do all these things, we would make a sustainable, renewable, local recycling loop! We could return carbon, nutrients, and other critical minerals to the soil. Happy soil, happy plants. Just like our ancestors before us.

·      Yes, we have metals.  Less metals than a daily multi-vitamin. Aka macro and micro nutrients. Great for plants. And if you use in your garden, you’ll probably finally get your money’s worth out of your vitamin (i.e., you’ll be eating more nutritious food than grown in conventional petrochemical, synthetic fertilizers).

·      Yes, we have industrial discharges. Thanks to aggressive regulations of the industries that discharge to our plants since the Clean Water Act was enacted, the influent metals can meet drinking water standards (at least in Orange County). That’s an exponential drop - more than 90% decrease – since the levels we saw in the 1970’s. What does that mean to biosolids applied to the land. It could take 1,800 years to build up enough lead in the soil for it to potentially cause a problem.

·      Yes, we have pharmaceuticals.  You take the drugs (15% of the populations is responsible for 90% of the drug consumption). And we protect the water (aquatic species are more sensitive receptors than soil species). Wastewater treatment processes (like activated sludge and digestion) have been shown  to break-down some of these compounds. The dilute doses of pharmaceuticals are present in part per million and part per billion range, which is still safe to recycle (e.g., you’d need to consume 48,000 gallons of biosolids to get one dose of Viagra). No adverse impacts have been found in plants and animals surrounding biosolids-amend soils; unlike the aquatic species where effects of birth controls pills and other constituents have been documented.  So, please dispose of medications at your local pharmacy if they have a “take back program,” a local household hazardous waste round-up, or wrapped in the trash.

·      Yes, we may have pathogens. The EPA’s biosolids regulations performed the most thorough risk assessment of many pathways and constituents when developing the rules for using biosolids on farms. These biosolids are treated, but not completely pathogen free. The EPA periodically reviews its regulations to consider new information and research. Since EPA’s original “503 rule” was published in 1993, it has been protective of public health. A new model is now available where a user can input various assumptions (e.g., wind speed, rain, depth to groundwater) and calculate risk of infection from biosolids pathogens via the various pathways (e.g., inhalation, ingestion).  One example output from the model: A child playing in a field applied with biosolids for 8 hours would have a 1 in 100,000 risk of contracting rotovirus. I did a lot of risk research when I was pregnant, overdue, having a C-section, then a VBAC, a homebirth, and debating vaccines. I wish some of the decisions I had to make were based on that order of magnitude.  

The bottomline is that Yes, there is That in biosolids. Everything you flush down the sink and toilet in your home. Yes, that’s gross. But Yes, that’s the definition of sustainability. And if you trust what comes from you, what is the natural process, what tens of thousands of Americans spend careers protecting public health and the environment, then maybe you can also see biosolids in a better light than your first impression.

Thank you for interest!  I hope you’ll have your voice heard by touring your local treatment plant, liking the Biosolids Buzz Facebook page, and/or signing the petition that supports biosolids recycling.

Inspirations from Today's Poop Conference #biofest #biosolids #sewage sludge

Of course poop is inspiring! At least it can be to some! Expanded version of the items that I tweeted earlier... 


Risk assessment: child playing in Biosolids field 8 hours = 1:100,000 chance of rotovirus Infection  

This was example of output of new risk assessment pathogen model. The exposure pathway is ingestion. Rotovirus was the only of several pathogens that had any risk (rest were zero). I believe this was a biosolids cake application (not compost or limed, or other "class a" product). I thought it was a powerful statistic especially since my kids Have Ingested Compost (of course not my choice but it happens)!! 

It also backs up the point that I overheard during social hour. Something about the relative risk of diarrhea in children associated with shopping carts. I don't remember the number but it was a Significantly higher incidence than the 1:100,000 associated with playing in a biosolids field  (insert link to shopping cart buddy here!).

Citation:   http://www.werf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Archived_Seminars&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=18489  #sewage sludge

WSDOT using Biosolids compost to meet natural resource, recycling, weed control, slope stability standards

This is not the exact presentation that Sandy did, but one similar. Washington is heralded as one of the leaders in stormwater uses of compost, including some biosolids composts. They have developed detailed specifications, including the requirement that compost be certified by the US Composting Councils Seal of Testing Assurance Program. Sandy continues to use   each project as an opportunity to expand the science. She has some amazingly telling pictures of the wonders that adding compost to the soil can do (with and without compost pictures tell stories by themselves).  The links to improved water quality though the use of compost for bioswales, biofilters, and integrated vegetative management demonstrate the bigger picture often lost or denied. Bio-solids build Bio-soils which is by definition Sustainable!

Citation:http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/WSDOT_Bioengineering.pdf

High Quality Potting media from Biosolids compost!!?? 


I was looking for a copy of an article published by Digger Magazine (Oregon nursery industry) that talked about some of the benefits of biosolids use based on some Oregon State University (Go Ducks!) research, but found this in the meantime. It's kinda techy, but then like to "geek out" to that kind of thing!


Citation:   Here's the #science: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Pubs/CreatHiValue%20PotMediaBSOrgWaste.pdf  #sewage sludge

How many people love their job so much they Sing about it!??? We love biosolids aka sewage sludge! Thank you Steve Anderson for some great entertainment!!  I'll help you write your next hit, "I love sewage sludge" sung to the tune of Joan Jett's "I love rock and roll."

And yes, as it turns out, I have sung about work. A long, long time ago, we did a little thing called the District Chicks. But I'll save that story until I can find the cool graphic to go with it! And maybe a first draft of Steve's next sludge tune!  Wonder if Steve knows there is sludge genre of music?  Wonder if he could translate to acoustic guitar?  Hmmmm..... 

Biosolids Remediate Metal Contaminated Soils #sewage sludge #mine pollution

Here's just the tip of the iceberg as far as the research on biosolids and their super-protetctive and remediating powers. I've seen it in a couple of places listed at the bottom. 

Internet Resource

National Biosolids Partnership Web site. Available from http://www.biosolids.org .

Peter S. Machno and Peggy Leonard

BIOSOLIDS REMEDIATE METAL-CONTAMINATED SOILS

The mining and processing of metal ores have contaminated soils in many countries. In the vicinity of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) mines and smelters, soils may have Pb and Zn concentrations as high as 20,000 mg/kg. These soils—with their high metals, low pH, and lack of nutrients and organic matter—are toxic to plants. Land around the mines is acidic and barren, often with blowing dust and metals leaching into ground and surface waters.


Three such sites on EPA's Superfund list—Palmerton, Pennsylvania; Leadville, Colorado; and Bunker Hill, Idaho—have demonstrated that biosolids mixtures can restore soils and vegetation. Biosolids combined with a calcium carbonate material such as lime or wood ash create a fertile soil and vigorous, self-sustaining plant growth. Iron and phosphates in biosolids adsorb lead and convert it to an insoluble compound, chloropyromorphite. Wood ash raises soil pH and prevents Zn from being taken up by plants or leached. Biosolids supply nutrients and organic matter for rebuilding soil and soil microbial communities.
Similar results have been reported in Upper Silesia, Poland, where lands have been contaminated by toxic coal and smelter wastes. New secondary treatment plants in the region will be producing a supply of biosolids for future restoration projects.

A douglas fir tree with (left cuts) and without (right cuts) biosolids application. There is a more than 100 percent increase in tree growth with biosolids. Each "tree ring" represents one year of growth. (King County photo by Ned Ahrens. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission.)

http://www.pollutionissues.com/A-Bo/Biosolids.html


http://www.reclaimingtheculture.org/pollution-guide-2/biosolids-remediate-metalcontaminated-soils.html

Greener with Biosolids: Golf Course Sustainability Modifications #turf #sewage sludge

How can a golf course get even greener?  Biosolids are playing a key role in Hilaman Golf Course's sustainability and "eco-smart" upgrade.

They City of Tallahassee sewage treatment plant installed a Dragon Dryer to produce a biosolids-based (treated sewage sludge) fertilizer with 5% nitrogen and 3% phosphorus - perfect for the golf course. The organic matter in the biosolids is building healthy the soil and turf.

As the woman in the video points out, these biosolids are a great alternative to synthetic (non-renewable) petrochemical fertilizers. Biosolids nutrients also tend to have significant "slow-release" component so they aren't as "hot" and therefore potentially threatening to water quality (if fertilizers run-off into local water ways). The organic matter in the biosolids also retains water and keeps the water and nutrients in place so they don't run off.

If you'd like to skip the cool biosolids part it runs from about 2:30 to 5:00.

I saw this post on Turfhugger's blog (what a great name!), so thank for posting! And thank you for the great feature from WCOT. And of course (golf, lol) a big thank you to Hilaman Golf Course for being an environmental leader by being a model for other golf courses! And City of Tallahassee for producing a product that matches the local needs!

EcoSmart-Hilaman Golf Course goes Green

Students Research find over and over Sewage Sludge Biosolids Benefits Worth It!

The beauty of the internet. College student are now apparently blogging their assignments. It appears to me that some college biology classes are reporting on biosolids. (See links below to just a few of a host of sites from Google's blog search.)

Although I could get hung up on some of the innaccurate facts "cons," the bottomline is they researched the topic of biosolids and concluded the benefits far outweigh the risks. The comments are particularly supportive and interesting. Some great quotes.

Sewage sludge and biosolids may give a negative first impression, but those that take the time to research the facts in an open manner often find they agree with those that spend a lifetime working with biosolids and researching - the pro's outweigh the cons - for society and the environment.

I especially love this picture posted by a girl named Dora (first linked blog below).


http://adorablogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/love-organic-then-love-yourself.html?showComment=1305501242728#c8370890923559079910

http://caitlincosgrovebioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/unit-1314-factors-affecting-plant.html?showComment=1305500652000#c3487165813280936979

http://bioblogstuff.blogspot.com/

http://nicolesbioblog.blogspot.com/

Worried about Sewage Sludge Contaminants? Household exposure to chemicals greater risk!

August 2011 Biocycle Article Abstract: Due to widespread use of TOrCs in manufacturing of personal care and consumer products, research finds that the greatest human exposure is in the household environment and not via land application of biosolids.   [aka fertilizing farms with treated sewage sludge or using composted sludge biosolids in home gardens]  http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/002402.html   L.S. Hundal, K. Kumar, N. Basta and A.E. Cox

[Note this article ground-truths Sally Brown's recent article in BioCycle that discussed the importance of focusing on the real and significant climate change benefits of biosolids use (carbon sequestration) rather than the insignificant risks associated with minute levels of contaminents in biosolids.]

Brief Notes / Highlights


- TOrCs = Trace Organic Chemicals 
- consumer and manufacturer responsibility
- pathways
- household exposure is greatest
- lowest risk from biosolids, would need direct ingestion for any quantifiable risk
- review of modern literature
- biosolids-derived TOrCs have low bioavailability and are not very mobile in the soil profile. 
- Lipophilic TOrCs like PBDEs are not taken up by the plants. 
- Less lipophilic TOrCs tend to accumulate in vegetative parts of the plant and are generally not detected in grains, which further limit their translocation into the food chain. 
- These arguments strongly suggest that land application of biosolids could not be a major pathway for human exposure to TOrCs.

http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/002402.html

BioCycle August 2011, Vol. 52, No. 8, p. 31


BioCycle Web Extra
Complete References available at end of this article