Sewage Biosolids: Is it Safe to Use?
Sewage biosolids is being marketed and promoted by our government as being safe to use as “fertilizer”. But is it safe?
Let’s take a closer look at what is in sewage biosolids. Sewage biosolids is municipal sewage sludge that has been dehydrated, processed to some extent, and then tested for 11 heavy metals and 3 bacteria. Only starting in October 2024, it is to be tested for PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances]. This testing requirement is only for commercial biosolids. PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” as they do not breakdown overtime but accumulate in the soil and in our bodies. PFAS are known to cause numerous different illnesses including cancers, kidney and thyroid disease, fertility issues, and development issues in children.
Municipal sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant is known to contain hormones and pharmaceuticals as well as micro-plastics and numerous chemicals, including PFAS and chemotherapy drugs, as the source of this sewage is industrial and hospital waste in addition to residential waste.
Industry used to release its waste directly into rivers and lakes. This practise has been discouraged due to the known environmental impact witnessed in our waterways. Some of this industrial waste is released via the sewage system and arrives at the wastewater treatment plant along with the residential waste.
Sewage biosolids is allowed to be spread on our farmland like a “fertilizer” as our Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has classified sewage biosolids in the same category as compost and organic waste as it contains nitrogen and phosphorus. Yes, it contains nitrogen and phosphorus which may be beneficial as a “fertilizer”, however it is also known to contain numerous chemicals.
What is the impact of repeatedly spreading these chemicals on our valuable farmland? Will our farmland become contaminated? Will these chemicals be taken up by the crops grown on this land? Crops that are then used for human and livestock consumption?
Let’s take a closer look at the marketing. Let’s use the City of Hamilton as an example. Hamilton is known for its industry and pollution. The biosolids management report released by the City of Hamilton in 2022 indicates that its process takes the “wastewater biosolids and dries it into a food grade pellet”. Food grade should mean it is safe to eat. Really? We may not be eating it directly, but how reasonable is the marketing?
This statement by the City of Hamilton refers to CFIA criteria. Remember – it is only required to be tested for 11 heavy metals and 3 bacteria (e-coli, coliform and salmonella). Chemicals are not removed in the processing. When this report was released in 2022, there was no requirement for PFAS testing. So how safe is sewage biosolids?
Sewage biosolids is also known to contain micro-plastics which similarly are an item of concern. What will be known about the impact of spreading these micro-plastics on our farmland?
According to our government, sewage biosolids have been land applied in Ontario for 40 years. Due to DuPont’s issue with its Teflon pans, the harm caused by PFAS chemicals has been known for over 25 years. Testing of sewage biosolids for PFAS started in October – and only for some biosolids, not all. What else is our government not telling us?
We need to look no further than the Greenbelt issue and the recent passing of Bill 5 to know that our government has no regard for the environment. Is our government protecting us? More importantly, is our government protecting our farmers and their valuable farmland?
Some organizations are saying sewage biosolids pellets are safe to eat. It is allowed to be spread on our farmland as a “fertilizer”. It is being sold in bags in stores as “fertilizer” for your gardens. Sewage biosolids is being heavily promoted by our government as being safe to use. But is it safe? Buyer Beware.
For more information on sewage biosolids, kindly contact Citizens Concerned About Biosolids at ccab.ontario@gmail.com and follow our Facebook page Stop Spreading Sewage.
Heather Horning
Citizens Concerned About Biosolids
