Use of biosolids in agriculture

In the early 1990s the Department of Agriculture and Sydney Water Board collaborated on a 10-year, comprehensive research program on the use of biosolids on land.

The program arose from increased government and public concerns about ocean disposal of wastewater and the recognition of the potential beneficial properties of biosolids products.

The research program identified the agronomic and soil fertility benefits of biosolids application in a number of production systems and showed that environmental or health risks associated with its use could be minimised by simple management practices.

This Primefact covers the following topics:

• What are biosolids?
• Physical properties of biosolids
• Microbiological properties of biosolids
• Chemical properties of biosolids
• Nutrients
• Metal contaminants