Topic 4: Biosolids - A Realistic Alternative?

Biosolids? What exactly is that? So, as per usual, when a topic comes up that I am not familiar with I google it. When googling the term biosolids one can find a picture similar to this:

But, reading along this unit I came across the bracketed words right next to biosolids, which said human waste ... so? Is the picture above really what I think it is?

Continuing on, I researched about what exactly biosolids were. Through the countless amounts of internet sites and constant typing and backspacing into search engines I was directed to this definition of what biosolids were and how they went from human waste, to fertilizer.

Biosolids, are in fact human waste, but do not be deceived by that initial statement my friends. Oh no. This waste goes through a long thorough process that separates liquids and solids which is also known as the water waste treatment.

The liquid that is separated is clean water that is then discharged into an nearby stream or river. The solids however are treated again, and go under the process of stabilization - reducing harmful micro-organisms within the solid.

From that point on, the waste (or bio solid material) has now gone from in your toilet to in your gardens. Biosolids are used on farms to promote the growth of their crops and to reduce the use of commercial fertilizers. But with all being said and done, is this really a realistic alternative to agriculture today?

Living in such a westernized society, I feel that we are greatly influenced by such superficial remarks and mindsets as to, "Ew, poo is unsanitary, I don't want my food to be grown in that!" or ".... Poo? My food is growing in poo?". However, their is an upside. We, as a civilization living in a developed country, have a waste problem. Thinking of that solely in mind and not of the fact that biosolids were in fact poo, in a previous life, the use of it as fertilizer is not such a bad idea.

As an individual who cares not much for the superficial's of this life and more for the beneficial's for the next generation, I would have to say under all the circumstances and after weighing out the pro's and con's, biosolids as a fertilizer would be a fantastic alternative to plant growth and agriculture practices. I mean... biosolids are au natural, they are processed and treated up until the unsanitary aspects of the waste are completely abolished to a point, and it is constantly being created. Biosolids are our future when it comes to agricultural practices and to be honest, I would rather have my food being fertilized and treated by natural organic material than some chemically induced commercialized fertilizer any day.

References:
http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/nasm/agusesbio.htm
http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/tfer.html

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Erika
Michael