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 Outline Part 1: How are Biosolids used in BC? & Global Biosolids Management Part 2: How does BC regulate the use of Biosolids?
Part 1: How are Biosolids used in BC? 3
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5 Benefits of using Biosolids Biosolids are a resource; Disposal costs are high; Landfill space is limited; Best management practices.
6 Use of Biosolids in BC Compost Production; Land Application.
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 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 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 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 Biosolids Management in the EU Source: European Federation of Agricultural Recycling
12 Biosolids Management in the EU Countries Total biosolids produced (%) 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Biosolids land application Composted biosolids
13 Part 2: How does BC regulate the use of biosolids?
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 OMRR Requirements Metal Standards Pathogen Standards Composting Facility Requirements Notification of Land Application Land Application Plan
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 75 13 75 3.7 Cadmium 20-40 75 20 3 20 1.61 Chromium No limit No limit Currently no limit Under consideration 100 1060 30.8 Cobalt No limit No limit 150 34 150 2.4 Copper No limit No limit Currently no limit Under consideration 400 2200 533 Lead 750-1200 840 500 150 500 24.1 Mercury 16-25 57 5 2 15 1.68 Molybdenum No limit 75 20 5 20 6.93 Nickel 300-400 420 180 62 180 21.3 Selenium No limit 100 14 2 14 4.77 Zinc 2500-4000 7500 1850 500 1850 905
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 Pathogen Control Buffer Zones, Waiting Periods Hostile Soil Environment Time and Temperature Fecal Coliforms Testing salmonella
19 Composting Facility Requirements Environmental Impact Study (EIS); Notification of Operation; Plans and specifications.
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 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 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 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 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 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 18-38 months 10-20m setback from roads
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 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.
Thank you 28