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Online Consultation: Biosolids Composting Facility Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

Breadcrumbs
 

Page summary

Halton Region has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Study to identify the preferred location for the construction of a Region-owned biosolids composting facility. As part of this study, the Region is seeking input from the public, interested stakeholders, Indigenous Communities and First Nations on the preliminary preferred location.

About the project

Halton Region owns and operates six wastewater treatment plants throughout the region that clean wastewater and safely return the water back to the environment.

Biosolids are the nutrient and organically rich by-product of municipal wastewater treatment processes. Liquid biosolids from the Region’s four smallest wastewater treatment plants are transported to the Region's W.A. Bill Johnson Biosolids Management Centre (BMC) – located at 4449 Regional Road 25, Oakville (Google Map) – for blending and storage before being sent for off-site management. Liquid biosolids from the Region’s two largest wastewater treatment plants are dewatered onsite and then transported for off-site management.

Biosolids from the Region’s wastewater treatment plants have been available to the local agricultural community for crop production for 40 years. While the community had sufficient land in the early 2000s to ensure all biosolids produced could be applied locally, the Region’s current biosolids land application program faces challenges and risks.

  • Biosolids transport costs, fuel costs and carbon emissions are all increasing.
  • As Halton's population grows, there is less available farmland to apply biosolids locally. As a result, we are transporting biosolids outside the region.
  • Halton is experiencing more frequent and severe weather events due to climate change, which impact the ability to transport or use biosolids.
  • There is currently a high dependency on third-party contractors and contracted facilities for transportation and processing of the Region's biosolids.
  • We are monitoring a potential future regulatory ban on organics disposal in Ontario landfills. In the event the Region cannot apply its biosolids to land and no third-party contractor or facility will accept them, the only other option is landfill disposal.

In response to these challenges and risks, the Region completed a Biosolids Master Plan in 2012. The plan recommended an investigation into biosolids composting to complement the Region’s land application program.

In 2020, the Halton Region Biosolids Composting Feasibility Study was completed and recommended the construction of a Region-owned biosolids composting facility to process biosolids into compost. Halton Region is now carrying out this study in accordance with the MCEA process to identify the preferred location for the proposed biosolids composting facility.

 

Biosolids composting facility benefits

Building the proposed biosolids composting facility in Halton would provide:

  • nutrient-rich, organic compost to support agricultural, reclamation and horticultural works that improve soil productivity and biodiversity in the region;
  • reduced carbon emissions associated with transporting biosolids long distances. According to the Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model (developed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), biosolids composting could reduce carbon emissions in Halton by about 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes per year—the equivalent of removing 900 to 1,000 cars from local roads and major highways;
  • mitigation of existing biosolids transportation risks linked to weather and distance; and
  • enhanced flexibility and reliability of the Region’s biosolids management program by reducing third-party contracts.
Landscape gardening right after biosolids compost application and several weeks later, showing the positive effect on the soil.
The positive impact of biosolids compost on plant growth.

 

 

Preliminary preferred location

As part of the MCEA study process, the Region considered several possible locations for a biosolids composting facility. To learn more about each location and the evaluation process, please watch the Site Alternatives video.

Based on the study and evaluation process, the preliminary preferred location for the proposed biosolids composting facility is the W.A. Bill Johnson Biosolids Management Centre (Parcel 8) because:

  • It eliminates the need for biosolids to be transported offsite, which will reduce truck traffic.
  • It is adjacent to an existing operating site with mitigation measures for odour, noise and natural environment impacts.
  • The location was evaluated to have the lowest potential for odour, noise and natural environment impacts.
  • It has flexibility for future process expansions, if required.

To learn more about why this is the preliminary preferred location, please watch the Preliminary Preferred Location and Next Steps video.

   

Public Information Centre materials

For detailed information about the study, check out our Public Information Centre presentation (PDF file). You can also watch or listen to our video recordings of the presentation below.

1. Introduction and Background

Learn more about the project background, study area, existing conditions and opportunity.

View the Introduction and Background video transcript (PDF file)

2. Site Alternatives

Learn more about the site alternatives that have been considered for the proposed biosolids composting facility and how these options were evaluated.

View the Site Alternatives video transcript (PDF file)

3. Preliminary Preferred Location and Next Steps

Learn more about the preliminary preferred location for the proposed biosolids composting facility. The video also includes an overview of next steps.

View the Preliminary Preferred Location and Next Steps video transcript (PDF file)

 

Learn more and share your feedback

We want to hear from you! Take our short survey to provide input on the preliminary preferred location for the proposed biosolids composting facility by May 2, 2024:

To find background information or download copies of notices and reports:

To learn more about biosolids management in Halton:

Please contact us to be added to the study mailing list or if you require information in an alternate format:

 

Frequently asked questions

What are biosolids?

Biosolids are the nutrient and organically rich by-product of municipal wastewater treatment processes. They have been treated to meet specific standards, guidelines and requirements. These treatments include the reduction of odours, pathogens and contaminants. When applied to land, biosolids provide several benefits, such as improved soil nutrients, structure and water retention.

What does Halton Region currently do with its biosolids?

Biosolids from the Region’s wastewater treatment plants have been available to the local agricultural community for crop production for 40 years.

As Halton's population grows, there is less available farmland to apply biosolids locally. As a result, we are transporting biosolids outside the region where it is being used:

  • by agricultural producers;
  • on land reclamation sites (such as mine tailing areas in Northern Ontario); or
  • as material for the production of fertilizer.

If no other options are available, they are sent to an approved landfill.

What is biosolids compost?

Biosolids compost is a natural soil-like product that is produced by mixing treated biosolids and other organic materials (such as leaf and yard waste, bulk wood waste or woodchips). The compost encourages healthy decomposition, and is suitable for:

  • horticulture (such as landscaping and soil blending);
  • reclamation (such as mine land revegetation); and
  • agriculture.
Biosolids compost offers the same benefits as treated biosolids with a much wider range of applications. Producing biosolids compost also helps reduce waste by reusing organic materials instead of discarding them.

How is biosolids management regulated?

The Ontario Water Resources Act (external link), administered by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), regulates the processes used at wastewater treatment plants that generate biosolids. All wastewater treatment plants with biosolids handling facilities are permitted to operate by a site-specific Environmental Compliance Approval, issued by the MECP.

The Region’s current management program for transporting and land application of biosolids is governed by Ontario General Waste Management Regulations (O. Reg. 347) and the Ontario Nutrient Management Act (O. Reg. 267/03).

Compost produced using biosolids is classified according to the Ontario Compost Quality Standards (OCQS). The OCQS set quality requirements for the biosolids and finished compost product that must be met for the compost to be distributed and used.

Are odours emitted from a composting facility that uses biosolids?

The operation of wastewater treatment plants, biosolids processing facilities and waste management sites produces some odours. The Region makes every effort to minimize any impacts on the community and our neighbours. This study includes approaches to mitigate the risk of off-site odours.

Odours generated at the proposed biosolids composting facility will be collected and treated by an odour control system. The Region will identify all potential odour emission sources at the proposed biosolids composting facility. Then, it will use an odour dispersion model to inform the engineering design of an effective system that meets MECP criteria for concentrations at neighbouring receptors (residential homes, places of worship and more).

Wastewater treatment plants, biosolids processing facilities and waste management sites are typically located away from sensitive land uses (such as urban areas, parks and recreational facilities) to minimize off-site odour risks. The preliminary preferred location has the lowest expected odour and noise impact on the surrounding area of all those we considered.

Will the proposed biosolids composting facility require a new location?

The preliminary preferred location for the proposed biosolids composting facility is the Region-owned W.A. Bill Johnson Biosolids Management Centre (Parcel 8). Halton evaluated other locations during the course of the study, but they did not have the same advantages.

To learn more about the locations considered as part of the MCEA study, please watch the Site Alternatives video.

 

Next steps and anticipated timing

Timeline

  • March-May 2024

    Public Information Centre. Invite community to learn about the study, review detailed information and submit feedback.

    We are here!

  • Spring 2024

    Process submissions. Review all comments and feedback received on the preliminary preferred location.

  • Summer 2024

    Draft project file report. Post with a 30-day timeframe during which information can be reviewed and feedback submitted to the project team.

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