On Wednesday, February 19, the CRD Environmental Services Committee reviewed an academic literature review of toxic chemicals embedded in biosolids produced by the Greater Victoria sewage Treatment plant and processed at the Hartland landfill.
The review was ordered because the Provincial Ministry of Environment has not updated its regulations governing the safe disposal of biosolids in light of new information concerning ‘forever chemicals’ which never break down.
The literature review examined the human health and environmental risks and benefits associated with land application of biosolids.The review concluded that current levels of toxic elements particularly PFAS, micro plastics and pharmaceuticals pose a negligible to low risk. However, the report concluded that there was a lot of uncertainty due to limited data, need for ongoing research and unknown impacts of bioaccumulation of biosolids in the environment.
The report recommended that the CRD take a precautionary approach to land application in the short run and encourage the CRD to pursue its primary strategy for treating biosolids through an advanced thermal destruction facility. The reviewer noted that such technology effectively removes all chemicals of concern in biosolids and that their conversion into biochar provides a beneficial and safe fertilizer which has a growing market value.
The CRD Board is currently reviewing three applications to apply this technology to biosolids and is expected to announce its decision in the spring.
