Wastewater TreatmentDedicated to Improving Water Quality Today for Tomorrows Generation
Biosolids Recycling Program
he USEPA defines Biosolids as “Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge (the name for the solid, semisolid or liquid untreated residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility). When treated and processed, sewage sludge becomes biosolids which can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.”
Basically, Biosolids are the byproducts of biological wastewater treatment. The options for disposal of Biosolids are recycling (land application onto farm ground), disposal into a landfill, or incineration.
The City of Sidney chooses to land apply Biosolids due to the abundance of agricultural ground available in Shelby County, the substantial fertilizer value of the Biosolids, the improvements in soil structure that Biosolids provide, it is an environmentally green practice, it is not a threat to the public health, and it is most economical option for the City of Sidney.
Before Biosolids are land applied analysis must be performed to ensure that it meets all limits established by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The city of Sidney performs extensive monitoring of its biosolids before it is land applied.
Biosolids are a good environmental policy for several reasons:
· It significantly reduces or eliminates the need for commercial fertilizer. This in itself is environmentally friendly as the production of nitrogen requires significant amounts of natural gas.
· The nutrients available for crop growth in biosolids are released more slowly than commercial fertilizer. This means less needs to be applied to provide enough nutrients for the entire growing season and the potential for runoff into waterways is reduced.
· Biosolids improve the soils ability to retain moisture. This means that crop growth is better during drier growing seasons and there is less potential for run off during rainy growing seasons.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides additional information regarding Biosolids and can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/mtb/biosolids/index.htm
If you are interested in participating in or would like more information regarding the City of Sidney’s Biosolids Recycling Program please contact the Chief Operator, Brian Clark at the City of Sidney’s Wastewater Treatment Plant at 937-498-8720 or email Brian at BClark@sidneyoh.com