CRD Now Spreading Sewage Biosolids at Hartland Landfill
PRESS RELEASE
Victoria, February 19, 2021
CRD NOW SPREADING SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS AT HARTLAND LANDFILL
After full commissioning of the Residuals Treatment Facility for the Capital Region’s Liquid Waste located at Hartland Landfill, the CRD has confirmed the Facility is now producing bio-solids from dewatered sewage sludge, and is spreading them at the Landfill. The sludge undergoes primary treatment at the Primary Treatment Facility at McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt and is then piped through an 18 kilometre pipeline to Hartland Landfill where the sludge is further treated.
The treatment process involves anaerobic digestion where microorganisms digest the residual solids at approximately 37°C over a period of 15 days followed by a drying process. The fluidized bed dryer further treats the residual solids at a ‘cooking temperature’ of approximately 220°C for over two hours, to produce dried Class ‘A’ biosolids. While Class ‘A' biosolids are treated to remove fecal coliform and heavy metals in accordance with the OMRR (Organic Matter Recycling Regulations), the provincial standard does not measure for many other contaminants such as dioxins, organic contaminants that can release staphylococcus aureus (superbugs) and what are known as “persistent organic pollutants" (POPs) and “contaminants of emerging concern" (CECs). The BC Ministry of Environment has documented the numerous toxic elements that remain in Class ‘A’ biosolids not tested for under the OMRR in a recent study:
Numerous studies have identified risks to human, plant and animal health from air and waterborne biosolids after they have been spread on land. More information can be found on the Coalition’s website:
READ The Conflict Between Commerce and Human Health: CRD Residents Beware
READ Five Reasons CRD Spreading Toxic Biosolids is a Bad Idea
In 2013, the CRD banned the spreading of biosolids but reversed this ban in 2020 on short notice when it was learned that the Lafarge brick kiln in the Lower Mainland, the facility to which the biosolids are to be shipped, is closed for 6-8 weeks per year for maintenance. The Lafarge Plant is currently closed due to ongoing safety issues. The CRD has said that the spreading of biosolids at Hartland is a temporary solution, but there is no plan to recover the biosolids from the soil once spread. The Mount Work Coalition opposes the spreading of biosolids at Hartland, as do several other organizations and businesses, because of the danger of doing so in proximity to nearby lakes, streams, farms, schools, species at risk, recreational areas and residences.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION EMAIL MOUNT WORK COALITION.
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