October 14, 2003

MABA Press Release

Biosolids Recycling - 30 Years of Success

The harvest is in and over the next few weeks thousands of farmers across America will receive municipal biosolids so that their soil will be replenished with nutrients and organic matter.

The recycling of biosolids is a huge part of the success in the nations 30-year commitment to preserving our nations clean water. When wastewater is treated at municipal treatment facilities, an organic material called biosolids is collected and processed. Biosolids are further made safe through the removal of potential pollutants through EPA mandated industrial pretreatment programs.

Biosolids can be beneficially returned to the land as a fertilizer and soil conditioner. Farmers welcome biosolids from nearby communities because biosolids substantially reduce commercial fertilizer costs and improve soil quality. Farmers also get assistance with nutrient and conservation plans. Many farmers claim biosolids work better than synthetic fertilizers by improving soil quality through the addition of organic matter and slow release nutrients. A farmer and the President of the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, John Dawes says, The use of biosolids on my hay fields has doubled [crop] yields.

In other examples of beneficial reuse, biosolids restore landscapes disturbed by mining activity. The Pennsylvania Game Commission used biosolids to restore wildlife habitat. Vern Ross, the commissions Executive Director, says that biosolids are the greatest story never told.

Over 30 years of research performed at universities and research organizations across the world, resulting in over 2,000 peer reviewed scientific articles, have consistently shown that biosolids recycling is safe and beneficial for the environment and protective of human health.

Todays modern wastewater and biosolids operations are the proud domain of over ten thousand public health professionals and environmentalists dedicated to cleaning waters and improving soils and productive landscapes. All work is performed in conformance with regulatory standards that are based on sound scientific research and risk analyses.

Across the country, the managers of biosolids recycling programs have made themselves available to speak with citizens and media representatives. They can also provide tours of treatment facilities and of land application sites.

For more information about biosolids recycling, and for links to your local area, go to www.biosolids.org, the website of the National Biosolids Partnership.

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