Thousands of municipalities are currently land applying or
otherwise recycling their biosolids. Both agricultural and
non-agricultural sites benefit from the nutrient and soil
conditioning value of biosolids, which is generally worth
about $100 to $140 per agricultural application. Biosolids
have been used successfully in the production of many
different food feed, and horticultural crops; in the
production of sod and the maintenance of turf; for improved
forest productivity; and for reclaiming and re-vegetating
areas disturbed by mining, construction, and waste disposal
activities.
The
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes
practices that provide for the beneficial use of municipal
sewage sludge biosolids, while maintaining or improving
environmental quality and protecting human health. The EPA
continues to provide guidance and rules for the safe use of
biosolids. Its current rule for the final use or disposal of
biosolids (40 CFR Part 503) is the result of nearly 10 years
of intensive study and development. The biosolids now being
generated are for the most part low in pollutants, rich in
nutrients and organic matter, and highly suitable for
recycling as a result of EPA's clean water and pre treatment
efforts. The Part 503 standards provide for a wide range of
different end-use possibilities for these biosolids.
