Production and Land Application of Compost and Biosolids

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1 1 Production and Land Application of Compost and Biosolids Barb John Environmental Protection Officer BC Ministry of Environment Maryam Mofidpoor Environmental Management Officer BC Ministry of Environment

2 2 Outline Part 1: How are Biosolids used in BC? & Global Biosolids Management Part 2: How does BC regulate the use of Biosolids?

3 Part 1: How are Biosolids used in BC? 3

4 4

5 5 Benefits of using Biosolids Biosolids are a resource; Disposal costs are high; Landfill space is limited; Best management practices.

6 6 Use of Biosolids in BC Compost Production; Land Application.

7 7 Compost Production Produced from organic matter such as food waste and biosolids ; Result of a controlled biological oxidation and decomposition of organic matter.

8 8 Land Application Typically land applications occur once per growing season using manure spreading equipment; This activity is similar to the application of manure on a pasture.

9 9 Biosolid Land Application Successes Some examples in BC: Sechelt Sand and Gravel mine; Highland Valley Copper mine; Vancouver Island University forest land; and OK Ranch. New York City biosolids fertilized Colorado s wheat farms for two decades.

10 10 National Approach to Biosolids The Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment (CCME) approved : Canada-wide Approach for the Management of Wastewater Biosolids

11 11 Biosolids Management in the EU Source: European Federation of Agricultural Recycling

12 12 Biosolids Management in the EU Countries Total biosolids produced (%) Biosolids land application Composted biosolids

13 13 Part 2: How does BC regulate the use of biosolids?

14 14 Organic Matter Recycling Regulation OMRR was enacted in February 2002; 2 guidelines: Compost Facility Requirements Guideline; Guidelines for the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation and the Soil Amendment Code of Practice.

15 15 OMRR Requirements Metal Standards Pathogen Standards Composting Facility Requirements Notification of Land Application Land Application Plan

16 16 Metal Standards Metals European Biosolids Used in Agriculture Biosolids Class A USEPA Biosolids Class A BC Regulation Compost Class A BC Regulation Biosolids and Compost Class B BC Regulation James Plant (Abbotsford) Biosolids (average) Arsenic No limit No limit Cadmium Chromium No limit No limit Currently no limit Under consideration Cobalt No limit No limit Copper No limit No limit Currently no limit Under consideration Lead Mercury Molybdenum No limit Nickel Selenium No limit Zinc

17 17 Metals bind to soil and organic matter Limits for Metals Loading in Soil Metal Standards in Biosolids and Compost Metals Buffer Zones Waiting Periods

18 18 Pathogen Control Buffer Zones, Waiting Periods Hostile Soil Environment Time and Temperature Fecal Coliforms Testing salmonella

19 19 Composting Facility Requirements Environmental Impact Study (EIS); Notification of Operation; Plans and specifications.

20 20 Land Application Land application notifications and land application plans are: required for Class A and B biosolids and Class B compost; not required for Class A compost due to its high quality.

21 21 Notification of Land Application Prepared by qualified professionals; 30 days before land application to MoE, Medical Health Officers, and the Agricultural Land Commission.

22 Land Application Plan = Not a Casual Step, but a Very Well Thought Out One

Testing soil for metals and nutrients Calculating the nutrients and metal

manure) Testing biosolids for pathogens and metals Considering plant s nutrients

22 22 Land Application Plan = Not a Casual Step, but a Very Well Thought Out One Driven by the OMRR Requirements and Guidelines Notification to MoE MHO ALC Testing soil for metals and nutrients Calculating the nutrients and metal loading in soil Review by MoE MHO ALC Land Applied (same considerations as manure) Testing biosolids for pathogens and metals Considering plant s nutrients uptake Considering water sources and buffer zones Land application signed by QP Monitoring if needed

23 23 Nutrients (Agronomic Rate) Soil Tests (N, P, K) Land Application Rate of Biosolids and Compost Biosolids and Compost Tests (N, P, K) Plants Nutritional Needs (uptake)

24 24 Land Application Plan Land Application Plan must be completed by a qualified professional with seal and signature, and must include: Storage and leachate management Pathogen and production process Total nitrogen, ammonia, ammonium, nitrate Plant available phosphorous and potassium Crop nutrient requirements Soil concentration of metals Concentration of metals in compost and biosolids Projected concentration of metals in soil after land application

25 25 Additional Conditions Land Application of Class B Compost and Biosolids must also meet the following conditions: Restricted public access Restricted grazing for 60 days 30m setback from water and residential zoning Visible signage with information Ground water level > 1m Restricted food crops for human consumption for months 10-20m setback from roads

26 26 Trace Chemicals -part per billion: one second in 31.7 years -part per trillion: one drop in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools Biosolids contain traces of chemicals; Risk is low to human and the environment. Risk Assessment: Toxicity = dose x time Where the chemical is Trace chemicals: low dose and short contact time: low risk The presence of the tiny amount of the trace chemical in the soil not in the water: low risk

27 27 Fate of the Trace Chemicals in the Soil Most chemicals : degrade quickly through soil microbial activities, under the sun and presence of oxygen; are not taken up by plants; do not move through soils (bind to soil and organic matter); and pose much lower risk to humans than everyday activities.

28 Thank you 28

Land Application of Biosolids Rules, Regulations and Benefits EPA regulations, under Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 503 (40 CFR 503) -

Land Application of Biosolids Rules, Regulations and Benefits Biosolids are frequently used for land application on cropland, pastures or timberland, where they decompose and furnish N-nitrogen, P- phosphorus