1. Dominic Brose, PhD Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago MWAA 2016 Winter Expo January 29, 2016

3. Beneficial Uses of Biosolids
Soil amendment or conditioner to improve structure and fertility
Substitute for chemical fertilizers as topdressing for golf courses, parks, athletic fields
Amendment to topsoil in construction of recreational facilities and reclamation and re-vegetation of brownfields
Sustainable soil amendment for residential lawns and gardens
Benefits of biosolids reuse
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

4. Benefits of biosolids reuse
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

5. Federal/State Regulations
Federal – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
40 CFR 503 (Part 503) passed in 1993
Established regulatory limits for 8 trace metals
Exceptional Quality criteria
State - IL Environmental Protection Agency
For non-Exceptional Quality
Title 35 Subtitle C Chapter II Part 391
Limits on application, setbacks, and storage
Benefits of biosolids reuse
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

6. Regulatory Metal Limits For Land Application
Trace Metal
Part 503
Allowable
Exceptional Quality
MWRD
Biosolids
Phosphate Fertilizer
mg/kg
Arsenic 75 41 5 11
Cadmium 85 39 3 65
Copper†
4,300
1,500
380 57
Mercury 17 1 NA
Molybdenum †
--- 10
Nickel †
420 40 28
Lead
840
300
100 12
Selenium †
Zinc †
7,500
2,800
725
240
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
† Essential plant nutrient

7. Public Act 099-0067 HB1455 passed in July 2015
Sec a. Land application of Exceptional Quality biosolids.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) technological advances in wastewater treatment have allowed for the production of Exceptional Quality biosolids that can be used on land as a beneficial recyclable material that improves soil tilth, fertility, and stability and their use enhances the growth of agricultural, silvicultural, and horticultural crops;
(2) Exceptional Quality biosolids are a resource to be recovered; and
(3) the beneficial use of Exceptional Quality biosolids and their recycling to the land as a soil amendment is encouraged.
(b) To encourage and promote the use of Exceptional Quality biosolids in productive and beneficial applications, to the extent allowed by federal law, Exceptional Quality biosolids shall not be subject to regulation as a sludge or other waste if all of the following requirements are met….
Benefits of biosolids reuse
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

8. Science Behind Biosolids Reuse
Pathogens removed
Metals below levels of concern and further immobilized in soil
Many metals are actually plant nutrients
Organic contaminants generally not present or at very low levels
Benefits of biosolids reuse
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

9. MWRD Committed to Producing “Clean” Biosolids
Strict industrial discharge pretreatment limits – authority to enforce under Clean Water Act
Pollution Control Officers to ensure compliance
Certified analytical laboratories monitor biosolids quality
Certified Biosolids Environmental Management System
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

10. Composted Biosolids Have the Look and Feel of Topsoil

11. Nutrient Concentration in Biosolids
mg/kg
Potassium
3,300 – 4,000
Zinc
760 – 900
Sulfur
400 – 500
Nickel
35 – 50
Organic Carbon
15 – 25 %
Organic Nitrogen
1.5 – 2.5 %
NO3+NH3-N
0.1 – 0.3 %
Total Phosphorus
Calcium
3.7 – 4.1 %
Magnesium
1.6 – 1.9 %
Iron
1.6 – 1.8 %

12. Plant and Soil Health Major Nutrients Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Minor Nutrients
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S)
Micro Nutrients
Iron (Fe)
Manganese (Mn)
Boron (B)
Chlorine (Cl)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)
Copper (Cu)
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

13. Urban Soils Urban soils are generally: Unproductive Compacted
Lack organic matter and plant available nutrients
Urban soils can be contaminated
DePaul University analyzed soil from four vacant lots in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood
Reported total soil Pb from 46 – 3,023 mg/kg
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

14. Urban Soils
Biosolids immobilize heavy metals in soils due to complexation with Fe and Al oxides*
Uptake of lead and arsenic by carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes from biosolids amended soils was reduced by 50-71% for lead and 46-80% for arsenic**
*Brown, et al J. Environ. Qual. 32(1):
*Chaney, R.L American Soc. Agronomy, Crop Sci. Soc. America, and Soil Sci. Soc. America. Madison, WI. pp
**Defoe, et al J. Environ. Qual. 43(6):
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

15. C Horizon: Parent material
A Typical Soil Profile
A Horizon: Organic carbon, root zone, plant nutrients, moisture
B Horizon: Clay accumulation, metal oxides, water table fluctuations
C Horizon: Parent material
Bedrock

16. Restoring Soils Leads to Restored Habitat
75% Soil Remnant
Parameter Unit 25% Biosolids Prairie Soil pH
Organic C %
Organic N mg/kg 4, ,150
Inorg.-N mg/kg
Avail. P mg/kg

17. Dominic Brose, PhD brosed@mwrd.org
Memorial Park, Midlothian, IL
Questions?
Dominic Brose, PhD
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago