Regulation in Ontario

In Ontario, most municipalities land apply their biosolids. Other municipalities burn it to create energy or just reduce the quantities of waste sent to landfills. Finally, some municipalities just send their biosolids to landfills. However, biosolids are great for adding macro and micro nutrients and organic matter which are crucial for the development of crop plants. Therefore, sending biosolids to a landfill is a waste of nutrients which would be better used in land application for crops.

Prior to January 1 2011, the land application of biosolids was regulated by the Ministry of Environment. Since January 1 2011, the application of biosolids is regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), with the Ministry of Environment enforcing the policies set out in Ontario Regulation 267/03 - the Nutrient Management Act.
The Ontario Regulation 267/03 is intended to protect our water supply. At the same time, it strives to optimize field inputs, by reducing field input costs and maximizing crop yields. Under this Act, biosolids are regulated as a beneficial nutrient for soil conditioning and improvement. Specifically, this Act controls the amount of nutrients added to the soil via the application of biosolids. It looks at the macro nutrients (which are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) as well as eleven micro nutrients (which are Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Copper, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Lead, Selenium, and Zinc). These are considered to be necessary to the growth of crop plants.

The amount of biosolids allowed to be applied to the farmer’s field is calculated by developing a Non Ag-Source Material (NASM) plan. This is done using a program called NMAN3. (The NMAN3 program replaces the Certificate of Approval for application of biosolids after Jan 1, 2011.) The NMAN3 software stipulates required data, such as the soil test results, biosolids analysis reports, cropping practices of the farmer, size of the field, and required setbacks. The amount of macro and micro nutrients in the biosolids analysis and the soil analysis will dictate the application rate on the farmer’s field.

Bartels Environmental Services’ application technicians have NASM and NMAN3 training, as well as the associated certificates. They are more than willing to assist farmers with these programs.