Additional Testing to be Performed on Biosolids

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Additional Testing to be Performed on Biosolids

The Department of Environment and Labour confirmed today, Aug. 27, that it will test for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the biosolids being stored at Inglewood Farms in Old Barns, Colchester Co.

Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash said the testing is being done in response to residents' concerns about safety.

Samples have been collected and will be sent to a lab in Fredericton, N.B., for analysis. The lab will conduct tests for 12 pesticides, industrial chemicals and other contaminants. It will take about one month to receive the results.

The province updated its guidelines for the storage and land application of biosolids in May 2004. They are the result of an extensive review that included research and broad public consultation, and have been approved by one of the province's medical officers of health.

The guidelines require companies to meet strict standards in regards to pathogen and metal content. Currently there are no provinces in Canada that test for POPs. All, except Newfoundland and Labrador, allow biosolids to be applied on land.

"Our goal was to find a safe, stable, long-term solution to the disposal of materials left over from sewage treatment," said Mr. Morash. "We've done that by adopting some of the toughest land application and storage rules found in North America."

Biosolids are organic materials that are produced after the treatment of sewage, septage and industrial sludges. Septage sludge is the solid material that remains after water is removed from the sediments pumped from a septic tank. Sewage sludge is the residue generated during the treatment of sewage in a treatment plant.

The guidelines are part of any approval issued by the Department of Environment and Labour for land application or storage of biosolids. That makes them fully enforceable under the Environment Act. There are currently three approvals in Nova Scotia for the land application of biosolids, one each in Colchester, Pictou, and Annapolis counties.

Mr. Morash said he understands how residents can have concerns, despite the fact that Nova Scotia's guidelines reflect some of the best practices in the world for the management of biosolids. "As a result," he said, "we've decided to accept the residents' request and do this additional testing. We're certainly open to collecting any scientific data that will help us ensure these guidelines are complete and safe."

Sludges and biosolids are organic materials, therefore it is against the law to bury them in landfills in Nova Scotia. The only other disposal options are land application and incineration.