2012
About the report
Biosolids are a by-product of the sewage treatment process. When sewage sludge is treated to an acceptable standard, the resulting biosolids can be used for beneficial uses such as application to agricultural land, for landscaping and soil amendment after composting. Total biosolids production is about 300,000 tonnes per year of dry solids.
This study was commissioned to support work under a number of strategies of the National Waste Policy: Less waste, more resources, including Strategy 5 (guidelines and standards), Strategy 9 (greenhouse), Strategy 10 (commercial and industrial waste) and Strategy 16 (data and reporting). Under these strategies, the Australian Government, in collaboration with states and territories, is working to remove impediments to the development and operation of effective markets for potential wastes; address emissions from disposal of waste to landfills and other activities; achieve major improvements in waste avoidance and re-use of materials in key areas of the commercial and industrial waste stream; and provide access to integrated core data on waste and resource recovery that is accurate, meaningful and up to date.
The Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities commissioned Pollution Solutions & Designs Pty Ltd to provide a snapshot of biosolids in Australia. The Biosolids Snapshot collates and assesses data and information on biosolids from public sources, water utilities and information available from the Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership. It provides information on the amount of biosolids produced per day in Australia; the composition of biosolids; current treatment processes; associated risks, specifications, best practice guidelines and standards; and current costs, markets and market barriers and opportunities for beneficial use.