Biosolids research and demonstration field trails in Southern Ontario

By Phil Sidhwa, Azurix North America

Each year in Ontario, Azurix North America’s (ANA) biosolids program applies over 1 million cubic metres of liquid and 200,000 tonnes of solid material on over 25,000 acres.

Farmers across the province and their respective associations vigorously and proactively support the use of biosolids recycling on farmland and also the need for practical, beneficial on-farm biosolids research.

The Azurix Residuals Management team actively promotes and encourages on-farm research and demonstration field trails at the local level, in co-operation with various government agencies and academic institutions.

Drag Hose Injection System.

Qualified staff work closely with: the Soil and Crop Improvement Association (SCIA); the Federation of Agriculture; the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, and Health; municipalities; the University of Guelph and the public at large in an effort to build confidence in these land application programs.

Demonstration projects and research initiatives include:

• Global Positioning Satellite System and Flowmeter Project. Accurately displays and records the flow of liquid biosolids as well as the GPS coordinates of the location.
• Nitrogen Credit Project. Measures the quantity of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen residue in the spring following a Fall application of biosolids.
• Soil Phosphorus and Metals Study. Measures the effects of biosolids application on soil and crop phosphorus and metals levels.
• Environmental Farm Plan. ANA staff experts teach this provincial course on farm use of chemicals and fertilizers to farmers.
• Biosolids vs. Commercial Fertilizer Plot. Compares yields on plots treated with biosolids and commercial fertilizers.
• Halton Conservation Club. Measures yields’ differences following biosolids use under various conservation tillage systems.

Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe SCIA, including the counties of Niagara, Hamilton, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant, Halton and Peel, with a population of 2.5 million, is currently involved in a three year biosolids research project to
measure the qualitative and quantitative effects of biosolids on agriculture and the environment.

Azurix North America is sponsoring this research with a commitment of $15,000. Dr. Mel Webber, a soil scientist and researcher working with ANA, will be conducting surface and groundwater studies to monitor metals, nitrate and bacterial movement through the soil profile.

ANA is an industry representative for the Provincial Biosolids Utilization Committee and the Water Environment Association of Ontario.