Hu-manure?!

“Night soil”, “sewage sludge”, and “wastewater” (the refined form), are just a few of the names that have been given to biosolids; human waste used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer. Biosolids are "mostly organic solids resulting from the treatment of wastewater that have undergone additional treatment" according to the EPA(Environmental Protection Agency). To ensure biosolids are recyclable, they are continuously  monitored by Wastewater treatment facilities. In the following course of action, wastewater is cleaned chemically and biologically. The most important step of wastewater sanitation is the removal of pathogens (disease- causing organisms). These viruses and parasites can be a significant threat to the health of humans. Like most new innovations in our society, there are risks, but they are greatly outweighed by the advantages of biosolids. 

A typical wastewater treatment facility

The processes of a wastewater treatment facility

The concept of "biosolids" is relatively new to the western hemisphere, but has been a common practice in other parts of the world for thousands of years. In the Tai Lake Region of China, biosolids were collected in ceramic tanks, concrete pits, or even buckets located near the toilets. Prior to the commencement of chemical fertilizers, farmers would use biosolids for nearly all crops, including wheat and rice. Today, nearly 200 million farmers in China, India, Vietnam, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America use biosolids to harvest grains and vegetables. In 2009 alone, fertilizer prices jumped almost 50 percent per metric ton, so farmers in developing countries maintain their businesses by using wastewater. 

A Chinese farmer using biosolids as fertilizer

Wastewater practices are rarely used in North America because farmers have access to treated water and expensive chemical fertilizers. Also, our society scoffs at the idea of being too "uncivilized". Biosolids are packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, as well as low concentrations of other plant nutrients. The soil in western countries has been known to be micro-nutrient deficient, and so the rich organic matter in biosolids can improve its overall quality. Recycling waste is a great solution to the byproduct of our society. When sewage is turned into an almost free fertilizer, the result is cleaner water bodies and more room in landfills. A study created by Colorado State University agronomists showed that biosolids constantly applied to wheat crops produced higher amounts of protein, thus creating larger economic returns compared to crops fertilized with the commercial fertilizer. 

An example of a nutrient deficient plant and how the plant is affected

Even though the use of biosolids is regulated by the EPA law 503 (Standards for the use or disposal of Sewage Sludge), not everyone is too fond of the idea. Biosolids aren't overly used in places such as Canada or the United States of America, but people living in close proximity to these activities are concerned.  In Colbert County, Alabama, Legislators are trying to stop the use of biosolids. There is a theory that anything that goes down a toilet (bleach, motor oil, etc.) can still be concentrated in biosolids, for they are not tested for contaminants after they leave the wastewater treatment pipes. Researchers have also tried to link the increase of illnesses to biosolids being used more frequently. In the study, residents living near biosolid fertilized land experienced burning eyes, skin rashes, and other ailments.  The fact of the matter is, research on biosolids is very limited, so it has hard to tell if the negative effects supposedly caused by biosolids are accurate or coincidences. 

A test on the concentration levels of cadium in biosolids

There is always a wrong way and a right way to go about a new advance. For example, if chicken is cooked the wrong way, the result can be salmonella. This doesn't mean that all chicken is bad. The same theory can be applied to biosolids used as fertilizers. Biosolids will be harmful if they are not provided in a responsible manner. For the most part, biosolids have been a great, cost effective substitution for harsh chemicals. If it has been used for thousands of years, why shouldn't we use it now? 

Biosolids for all!

References: 
1) http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/NPDES+Permits/Sewage+S825/$FILE/503-032007.pdf
2) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080821-human-waste.html
3) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/07/020730075144.htm
4) http://www.agroecology.org/Case%20Studies/nightsoil.html
5) http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/biosolids-and-human-health/
6) http://www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf
7) http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/biosolids/
8) http://www.biosolids.com/benefits.html
9) http://www.saltspringnews.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19167

Blogs I commented on:
1) http://maeisdabomb.blogspot.com/
2) http://claudia-d-123.blogspot.com/