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Online Consultation: Biosolids Composting Facility Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

Breadcrumbs
 

Page summary

Learn about Halton Region's study to identify the preferred location for the construction of a Region-owned biosolids composting facility.

About the project

Study overview

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.

More about 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.

Visit the Biosolids Management Program page

Halton Region's current biosolids management

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.

About 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.

Biosolids management regulation

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.

Biosolids composting facilities odours

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.

Study area

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

The second Public Information Centre ran from January 31 to March 27, 2024. 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

To find background information or download copies of notices and reports:
To learn more about biosolids management in Halton:
Contact us to join the study mailing list or if you need an alternate format:

What we heard

Between and , community members shared comments and asked questions about the study as part of an online public information centre. Over 900 people visited the webpage during this period, and we received 13 comments through the online survey.

Thank you to everyone who provided valuable input on the study! Your feedback was used to help inform the study and ensure nothing was missed.

To help protect confidentiality, we have summarized common questions that you asked us below. We invite you to review our responses and contact the project team if you have any follow-up questions or comments:

How close is the proposed facility to homes and businesses? What will the odour and noise impacts be?

The proposed facility will be located about 800 metres away from the nearest home, exceeding the recommendation in the Guideline for the Production of Compost in Ontario (external link) to avoid potential odour impacts. Odour dispersion modelling will be completed as part of the design of an odour treatment facility that will collect and treat any odours in the air before they are released. This work will help reduce the frequency and level of odours, and will be subject to Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks approval. Based on similar facilities, the proposed facility is expected to produce very little noise.

If composting is not viable, where are biosolids to be landfilled?

The Region will continue its existing biosolids land application program, even after the proposed biosolids composting facility is constructed. The Region will continue to land-apply biosolids if the composting process is unavailable. If biosolids need to be disposed of in a landfill due to unforeseen circumstances, they will not be landfilled at the Halton Waste Management Site.

Were other composting technology options considered? What, if any, amendments (woodchips or modules to allow air flow) are required in the composting process?

Composting technology options were reviewed during the Halton Region Biosolids Composting Feasibility Study and aerated static pile composting was selected as the preferred technology, which formed the basis for this MCEA study. Bulking agent (woodchips) will be used as amendment in the composting process.

Did you consider using bulking agents other than woodchips?

During the Halton Region Biosolids Composting Pilot Study, woodchips were used as the bulking agent medium and helped ensure that compost produced with the Region's biosolids met Ontario Compost Quality Standards. Concepts were then developed in this MCEA study based on using woodchips as the representative bulking agent medium. However, other bulking agents could be considered, if available.

Was biogas generation considered as part of this project?

There is no biogas generated through the biosolids composting process. However, the Region is evaluating the beneficial reuse of biogas generated at the Region's wastewater treatment plants in a separate study that is outside of the scope of this project.

Will this composting facility operate year-round?

Correct, this proposed facility will operate year-round.

How much compost do you expect to generate at the facility and what are the quality standards that it needs to meet?

The Region expects to produce about 44,000 wet tonnes of compost per year by 2051. Compost will meet the quality criteria for Category A Compost per the Ontario Compost Quality Standards.

How will the compost be stored and used? Will any of it be given away at the Compost Giveaway events held at the Halton Waste Management Site?

The compost provided at the Compost Giveaway events is made from local yard waste and is part of a separate program. There are currently no plans to distribute compost produced by the proposed biosolids composting facility at these events. Storage and distribution of the biosolids compost product will be evaluated through a separate study.

Next steps and anticipated timing

Timeline

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

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

  • 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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