CSIRO (National Biosolids Research Program)
The National Biosolids Research Program (NBRP), coordinated by CSIRO, aids the revision of guidelines to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of applying biosolids and other organic wastes to land.
The program aims to generated comprehensive and reliable results leading to a better understanding of the benefits and potential environmental risks associated with applying biosolids and other organic wastes to agricultural land over a wide range of soils and climate types. This means risks associated with cadmium, copper, zinc and to a lesser extent nutrients in biosolids can be managed effectively, ensuring the sustainable application of biosolids to land. CSIRO is also studying the risks posed by organic contaminants, chemicals and pathogens in biosolids applied to agricultural land.
Australasian Biosolids Partnership (ABP)
The Australasian Biosolids Partnership (ABP) has been created to promote the sustainable, beneficial reuse of biosolids in Australia and New Zealand. The key stakeholders are the water utilities in Australia and New Zealand that produce and have to manage biosolids, practitioners (consultants and contractors), plus the agencies responsible for regulating the management and use of biosolids.
Despite biosolid production and application being a relatively new initiative in Western Australia, WA has been identified as a leading the way in applications of sustainable biosolids recycling. The Water Corporation generates 3 biosolids products at the three main metropolitan sites; Woodman Point, Beenyup and Subiaco. They have conducted research specific to the needs of Western Australia to ensure minimum risk to the public and the environment. Research has included the availability of phosphorus in biosolids and its effects on the environment and insect attraction to biosolids, particularly Stomoxy calcitrans (also known as the stable fly). More recently the Water Corporation has participated in the National Biosolids Research Program aimed at verifying the nutrient availability and bioavailability of copper, zinc and cadmium.
What leadership is needed into the future?
There are many developing countries that do not have access to effective and safe wastewater treatment and many communities are still without wastewater treatment. This is in part due to lack of funding and poor internal policies. Many developing countries also suffer from low level technology and poor operational efficiency and maintenance. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices are responsible for many waterborne diseases that are prevalent in developing countries, such as typhus and cholera. Combined with the lack of effective wastewater treatment there are many existing and potential community health issues.
On a global level, leadership is required to ensure the continued research and development in the treatment and management of waste water. Strong leadership is required within the various regulatory and government departments who have responsibility for the ongoing research, development and implementation of policies and regulatory processes related to the use of biosolids. Collaboration and ongoing research is required to ensure that best practices are developed for production and usage of biosolids.
Local Government has a role in ensuring that any regulatory requirements (within their sphere of responsibility for example building licences) are met with regards to biosolids plants and storage plants. Additionally, Local Government has a key responsibility at the community level of providing an avenue for community concerns to be raised and communicated to the appropriate agencies.