Biosolids: Legitimate fertilizers, or just poop?

We all know Bessie here is one of many cows whose waste we use as fertilizers, so here's a question for you: Why not use our own?


First of all, I think we need to understand the significant difference between biosolids and human waste. Biosolids may have started off as sewage sludge, but they're filtered for suitability and then go through numerous treatments to remove harmful bacteria and diseases.

Biosolids ≠ What goes down our toilets!

Let's be honest, the main reason people are wary of biosolids is because they believe it's the same thing as sewage sludge. This leads to concerns about healthy safety, pathogens, odour, and water safety. I think once they hear out the facts, they'll see that the pros outweigh the cons.



To address the most important concern, being health, the concentration and effects of biosolids vary with the place that is applied. Technology has come a long way, so you can be sure that these treatments are effective. That being said, each location has its own regulations, so there are safety precautions taking place. As for human contact, there is certainly restricted access so the everyday person won't be wandering in. Again, biosolids are not wastes coming straight from the sewers to the fields. To keep biosolids even safer, only human wastes should go down the toilet, not tissues or other products.




So now that we've got that sorted out, here are some reasons why biosolids may be more beneficial:


Biosolids are natural -- we made them! Natural and organic products are getting more mainstream because of their health benefits. Why not with fertilizers as well? Biosolids already contain a large amount of nutrients that the plants will need, so farmers don't need to keep adding unnatural chemical fertilizers instead. Biosolids also release their many nutrients much more slowly than chemical fertilizers do. This means large fields won't get "burned" as a result of too many nutrients at one time.






Other than their practical use, biosolids promote recycling. In Toronto, 64% of biosolids are either dumped in a landfill or incinerated. Biosolids protect the earth. Unlike chemical fertilizers, they bind to the soil, making it heavier and more resistant to erosion. Biosolids create jobs. Instead of just bringing them to a landfill, more people are needed to supervise their treatment, their transportation, and application.


They're already in use all over the world, so why not?

If society would disassociate biosolids from what goes down the toilet, I'm sure more farmers would be willing to use them without fear of losing business. Biosolids are environmentally-friendly, healthy, and safer for plants than chemical fertilizers are. Let's not waste our waste!


Sources:

All images linked to source.

City of Toronto: Toronto Water - Protecting water quality - Biosolids Management

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association - FAQ Biosolids

Virginia Tech - Agricultural Land Application of Biosolids in Virginia: Risks and Concerns

Lynchburg College, Virginia - BIOSOLIDS: Fertilizer or Pollution?

Auburn University, Alabama - Using Sewage Sludge as a Fertilizer


Blogs I've commented on:

Inggrid Wibowo - Where does the poo go?

Connie Tang - A solid (pun intended) idea.