Guidelines in the treatment, storage and application biosolidsAustralia has adopted a conservative and precautionary approach to managing biosolids application to agricultural soil. Regulations have been established to protect public health and the environment by setting pollutant concentration limits and appropriate management practices for the reuse and disposal of biosolids generated from the treatment of industrial and municipal wastewater.
The production and management of biosolids in Australia must comply with the NWQMS (2000) Guidelines for Sewerage Systems Sludge (Biosolids) Management.' guidelins (National Water Quality Management Strategy).
The Departments of Health and Environment and Conservation assess proposals to use biosolids, primarily in broad acre agriculture and forestry. They are considered with regard to the Western Australian Guidelines for Direct Land Application of Biosolids and Biosolids Products (PDF 158KB) to ensure that potential impacts on human health and the environment are addressed.
Research and development
Research has indicated there is no scientifically established link between sewage sludge use and the occurrence of disease through food or water contamination, when current guidelines are followed. To date, there have been no documented negative human cases where a biosolids program met all the federal and state requirements.
Despite this within some aspects of the community there are concerns with regards to the production, storage and use of bio-solids, specifically around public health safety and environmental protection. Consequently research had focused on the sanitation side of biosolids use.
Research and development is crucial to ensure that public and animal health is not jeopardized and environmental health issues are address comprehensively. Australia has a strong research program. No other agriculture practice or product has been subjected to such rigorous scientific assessment and risk evaluation as biosolid recycling. Scientific opinion about biosolids has evolved over the past four decades, and increasing data becomes available from long-term studies.
Technological advances
Improving existing technologies and developing new ones will support the ongoing production of a high quality, safe biosolid product. New technologies have also facilitated new applications of biosolids.
Community Consultation
Increasing focus has been placed on consumer consultation in biosolid management. This aims to assist peoples natural aversion to sludge and involve them in the selection of processing and end use sites.