Just because it's the last blog, I've actually tried to write a decent entry.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
11:55 PM

Okay, let's clear this one up, shall we?
What exactly are biosolids?

WELL, apparently it is mostly "organic" solids resulting from the treatment of wastewater, according to MABA (Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association), NEBRA (North East Biosolids & Residuals Association, and mostly "nutrient-rich organic" to NBMA (Northwest Biosolids Management Association).

First of all, that "mostly" keeps trying to dig a whole through my head and sucking up more wild and crazy ideas of what could be the other "some" in biosolids. This organic solid can also mean as human feces, hence where it comes from - wastewater. The solids are either inorganic that may consist of, hopefully: sand, grit, nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus; or organic, most likely: waste products from animals (including us) or vegetable originis, and a variety of synthetic chemicals. Synthetic chemicals? The last time I check up on chemicals in general are equally as bad.

Wastewater comes from your very own home: the kitchen, bathroom, laundry. It comes from industries and business as well. It is mostly made of 99.5% water, while the 1/2% is suspended, and dissolved solids. They go through a filter for a safe return to the environment. But do want to know what else?! Wastewater also contain bacterias and other living organisms, which likely came from our own digestive system. Some may cause disease! Yep, that's right ladies and gents. This is one risky business.

How ever gruesome the topic may be, it is quite interesting. There are several pros and cons but I'm leaning towards for it, considering the benefits it contributes to the environment.

Continuing on, the disease filled, death trap of a water undergoes through wastewater treatment in order to separate biosolids and almost pure water. What about those bacterias in biosolids, you say? Well, the required biosolids treatment process reduce the levels of harmful living organism but take note that it is not entirely wiped out. Surprisingly and fortunately, there hasn't been any confirmed outbreaks of contagious diseases relating to the treated biosolids.

Properly treated biosolids, for your information, actually have a postive impact on water. It helps enrich soils and helping vegetation grow fuller. This also reduces soil erosion and groundwater pollution.

Is biosolids recycling the right thing to do?

Yes!

  • Biosolids recycling returns nutrients and organic matter to soils.
  • Biosolids recycling avoids the need for more costly landfill space or incinerators.
  • Biosolids products are efficient fertilizers and soil amendments that build healthy soils, restore barren lands, and help keep New England and eastern Canadian landscapes open and growing.
  • Biosolids recycling in accordance with regulations and best management practices has been proven safe and beneficial by decades of scientific study and peer review.
  • Source: North East Biosolids & Residuals Association

I wouldn't worry too much of what it came from knowing of the extensive treatments and proper utilization but what might be in it. Although, I have freaked out at the beginning... but the point is, after researching I've found to grow a liking to it. Avoiding the gruesome details still, as well as the expense, risks, odor.


TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT TORONTO HAS BEEN DOING!

We currently use a number of ways of managing biosolids. Toronto's biosolids are all treated at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.


Source: Toronto Website




Sources:
http://www.mabiosolids.org/index.php?page=faq-s

http://www.nebiosolids.org/index.php?page=faqs

http://www.nwbiosolids.org/facts.htm

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/qa/105-1focus/focusbeauty.html

http://www.toronto.ca/water/biosolids/index.htm

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/environment/biosolids/faq.asp




Well, it has been a great year. It's sad to say that this entry is the best I've ever done so far (it's not even that great), but looking at my previous entries... they're quite pathetic. Ahah. YAY SUMMER-! Oh, hello summer school...

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