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Biosolids

What are Biosolids?

Biosolids are the solids that result from municipal wastewater treatment and meet quality criteria outlined in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy's Organic Matter Recycling Regulation. Because of their stabilized, nutrient-rich, and humus-like properties, biosolids provide a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers as a means to increase soil fertility where nutrients are limited and improve soil quality through the addition of organic matter.

Why Use Biosolids?

Biosolids contain nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which are vital to healthy and productive soil. Biosolids also have a high organic matter content that improves soil quality, including allowing the soil to hold more water, thereby decreasing run-off and erosion. Biosolids that meet regulatory standards are suitable for use as fertilizer and soil amendments.

Fertilizing with biosolids returns nutrients to the land that might otherwise be lost. Using our biosolids in this way makes environmental and economic sense. The alternative to biosolids use is disposal in the Regional Landfill. With space declining at the Regional landfill, diverting biosolids from the landfill is consistent with the RDN's Zero Waste policy.

Since 1999, RDN biosolids have been beneficially used in agriculture, landfill closures, mine reclamation, and forest fertilization.

Click on the links to learn more:

• Biosolids Application
• Research and Studies
• Frequently Asked Questions