What are biosolids?

Biosolids refer to the treated sewage sludge that has undergone specific treatment processes to ensure it can be safely recycled and applied to land. This treatment process involves stabilizing the organic matter and reducing pathogens, making the resulting biosolids suitable for agricultural use or land reclamation.

The significance of biosolids lies in their role as a resource that can provide nutrients to plants and improve soil quality. When properly treated, biosolids can contribute to sustainable land management practices while also recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

In contrast, untreated sewage waste poses significant health and environmental risks and cannot be safely applied to land. Liquid waste discharged into bodies of water refers to effluent, which isn’t the same as biosolids, as effluent is primarily liquid and may not have gone through the same treatment processes. Chemical treatments are part of the wastewater treatment process but do not define biosolids themselves, which are organic materials resulting after treatment.