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Rules, Regulations and Benefits Biosolids are frequently used for land application on cropland, pastures or timberland, where they decompose and furnishing N-nitrogen, P-phosphorus and K-potash to growing plants. This method offers an ecologically sound and practical alternative to domestic and industrial waste Biosolids disposal than landfills or incineration. EPA regulations, under Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 503 (40 CFR 503) Biosolids must meet Part 503 of the federal EPA standards regarding pathogen and heavy metal content, handling and application precautions, and other regulations.Land Application of Biosolids Practiced for Centuries in Western Europe and
North America.
The purpose of land application of Biosolids is to supply essential plant nutrients and/or organic matter, or other constituents that will maintain crop production or soil health . These nutrients are organic and provide slow release, therefore there is less run-off possibilities.
Benefits include : Reduction in solids handling costs Reduction in cost of supplemental nutrients for crops Increased crop yields-more natural nutrients Procedures that may need to be undertaken in order to land apply Biosolids
Justification The utilization of a waste on agricultural land must benefit soil quality or crop production, and pose minimal risk to: 1) plant growth 2) crop quality 3) long-term land productivity 4) public and animal health 5) the quality of the environment. In addition : 6) the waste will supply plant nutrients and/or 7) the waste has value as a soil amendment. Some Additional Requirements may be necessary depending upon your local government regulations. Always make sure you follow federal as well as local government regulations, since regional variations may occur.
You may be required to fill out a Nutrient Management Strategy" (NMS) A "nutrient management strategy" (NMS) describes the generation, storage and
destination of prescribed materials. Generators (those who generate a prescribed
material), who are captured by the phase-in requirements of the regulation, must
complete a nutrient management strategy for the farm unit or nonagricultural
operation for the prescribed
Nutrient Management Plan" (NMP) A "nutrient management plan" (NMP) describes for the nutrients received, or applied on the land, the management of the nutrients. If you own or control land to which nutrients are applied, and you are captured by the phase-in requirements of the regulation, then you must complete a nutrient management plan: Regulation, Part 2.
Farmer’s Benefits A typical Biosolids application program has the potential to supplement the soil with:
**Biosolids provide farmers with $60 to $160 per acre worth of fertilizer, including many essential nutrients that the farmer may not normally replenish in the soil. Advantages and Benefits
There are some Limitations
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 | Physical Limitations |
| The maximum depth of a fluid sewage Biosolids that can be surface applied at any one time is 1.3 cm. This depth is equivalent to an application rate of 130 m3/ha |
| A maximum application rate of 8 tonnes per hectare every 5 years; |
| Separation distances to groundwater, surface water courses, wells and other environmentally sensitive features |
| Weather- Rain, snow |
Application only to Mineral soils are defined as having less than 17% organic carbon by weight
What
are Biosolids and how does it work?
Biosolids are microbial bodies that contain carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P).
Decomposition by Soil organisms-This produces carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) and humus (organic matter). Release or mineralization, of N as ammonium (NH4N), P and S as sulfate occurs. The ammonium nitrogen may also be oxidized to produce nitrate (NO3). These can be taken up by plants and reused.
Nitrogen demand of some crops
Winter wheat, Winter barley 90
Winter triticale 80
Winter rye 90
Corn (in SW Ont.)3 170
Corn (in other counties)3 100
Soybeans 0
Field beans, peas 10
Sweet corn 90
Carrots
**Nitrogen (N) is the most yield-limiting nutrient in Corn production
**Rate of Biosolids, not to exceed 135 kg of nitrogen/ha over five yr. period for crops, or a 4-yr period for sod.
Nutrient Removal by Crops
Application rates may vary depending upon soil conditions, regional limitations, climate and crop. Make sure to check all with your local regulations.
Example of Biosolids Application
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| Typical corn crop needs 120 lbs N per acre |
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| If Biosolids ~ 3% nitrogen -up to 5.4 dry tons per acre if used to supply all the nitrogen needed by the crop (i.e., no other nitrogen fertilizers used.) |
Note**- Different crops have different nutrient loading requirements.
Additional Example
Grass
Hay
If the Biosolids have 3 percent N per dry ton, then they have 60 pounds N per ton. If 40 percent of the N is available the first year, then the application rate in dry tons of Biosolids will be as follows:
160 pounds N ÷ (0.4 x 60 pounds N/ton) = 6.6 tons/acre
If you use the medium potassium concentration of Table 2, the 6.6 tons of dry Biosolids will supply 35 pounds K per acre (42 pounds K2O per acre). This is less than is needed for 4 tons of grass hay, so you must apply more K.
Guides or Publications
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| MOE Fact Sheet: Application of Sewage Sludge to Agricultural Land (PIBS 608b) |
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| 1996 Guidelines for the Utilization of Biosolids and Other Wastes On Agricultural Land |
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| Interim Guidelines for the Production and Use of Aerobic Compost in Ontario-MOE November 1991 |
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| Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Water and Wastewater Projects |
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| OMAFRA Publications |
| Publication 29: Drainage Guide for Ontario |
| Publication 296: Field Crop Recommendation |
| Publication 360: Fruit Crop Recommendation |
| Fact Sheet AGDEX 540: Land Application of Sewage Biosolids for Crop Production |
| Report -Analytical Results, Findings, and Recommendations of the 1995 OMAFRA Sewage Biosolids Field Survey |
| http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/index.htm#pubs |
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http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/water.htm Canada Biosolids
http://www.cwwa.ca/legislation/faqs/links.htm
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/biolib.htm Biosolids Library
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/genqa.htm General Information on Biosolids
Biosolids Awards Program
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/biogud.pdf
The
National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) is a voluntary program to promote
effective Biosolids management involving the Water Environment Federation (WEF),
the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA), and U.S. EPA. EPA
serves as an advisory member to the Partnership. More information about the NBP
can be found at www.biosolids.org.
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Copyright ©2003 Environmental Leverage Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: June 06, 2006.
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In
the US, all 50 states practice land application of Biosolids and 60% of all
Biosolids produced are land applied. In Europe 34% of Biosolids are land
applied. In Germany and Netherlands- all Biosolids land applied!
Some
application areas include: Forests, field and cereal crops, mine reclamation,
parks, sold for compost, Pasture land, Citrus groves.
Documentation
materials
generated or received in the course of the operation: Regulation, Part 2.
