Biosolids and PFAS
ONTARIO BIOSOLIDS COUNCIL
Supporting Farmers
The Ontario Biosolids Council is dedicated to supporting the needs of farmers to have ready access to biosolids as fertilizers and soil enhancers.
ABOUT ONTARIO BIOSOLIDS COUNCIL
Focused on the science and regulation of Ontario's circular agricultural economy
The Ontario Biosolids Council is a group of private sector companies that supply biosolids to farmers in Ontario. Biosolids are generated in municipal wastewater treatment plants and can be used as high-quality fertilizers and soil enhancers for many crops in Ontario. The decades-old practice of land application of biosolids is regulated by the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada. The companies in the Council represent about 80% of all biosolids that are applied to farmlands in the province.
Committed to the safe application of biosolids
through effective regulation and best management practices
Biosolids and PFAS
Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manmade fluorinated compounds that have been in commercial use since the 1940’s and are abundant today. For more information on what the biosolids industry, generators, and regulators are doing to address this evolving concern, click here.
COLLABORATION
Transparency between regulators, farmers, generators, and industry
BIOSOLIDS SNAPSHOTS
More detailed information on following pages
How they are created
How they are applied to farms
Regulations and oversight
Part of the municipal wastewater process
It starts with an approved Nutrient Management Plan
Government ministries, departments, and agencies working with farmers and industry
Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic byproducts resulting from wastewater treatment. Biosolids have been treated and tested and meet strict federal and provincial standards for use as fertilizers and soil amendments. Biosolids provide plant nutrients and organic matter to soils. Municipalities require companies to make biosolids solely available for beneficial use. That is, land application.
As nutrient sources, biosolids must only be applied in accordance with nutrient management planning principles - total available nutrients applied must not exceed what the crop can use. The success of a biosolids land application program depends on: communication, management, and all parties being aware of their responsibilities
It is important to remember that the agricultural land application of biosolids for beneficial use from licensed municipal wastewater treatment plants is a well-regulated practice. This practice is regulated under Ontario’s Nutrient Management Act (NMA) or Federal Fertilizer Act.