Management challenges of urban biosolids: narratives around facility siting in rural Ontario

Abstract

The emerging challenge of managing increasing volumes of urban sewage has resulted in municipalities pursuing sustainable ways to manage urban biosolids and their byproducts. Using content analysis of public debates, and situating the debate within science, policy and facility siting literature, this study examines claims and counterclaims relating to the siting of a biosolid processing facility in rural Ontario. The equivocal evidence on the health and environmental effects of biosolids resulted in a heated "expert versus lay" debate. The study critically evaluates the importance of trust and the shifting role of scientific evidence in politicised settings, while making relevant policy recommendations.

Conceptualizing waste as a resource: Urban biosolids processing in the rural landscape

“…In the meantime, scientific uncertainty also creates room for fear among those who oppose biosolids processing and land application within the vicinity of their community. Complexities and uncertainties inherent to biosolids processing and beneficial reuse allow the public to call on this uncertainty about environmental and health effects and draw on other forms of cultural, historical, and experiential knowledges in their opposition, thereby undermining science's hegemony (Garvin 2001;Mason et al 2015). Parizeau (2015), the persistent views of these transformed waste products as a hazard leaves some residents seeking physical and mental distancing and undervaluing the potential resource properties.…”

Biosolids are wicked to manage: Land application regulations in Sweden and B.C. Canada

“…• the collective urban population, as they are rid of their waste in a cost-efficient manner, • polluters as they do not carry the cost of handling their discharge once it has entered the waste stream, • sewage treatment plants, who receive reduced storage and disposal costs, and • farmers, because of reduced fertilizer costs (Laha and Parker, 2003;Leschber, 2002;Mason et al, 2014;Ochsenhirt, 2012).…”

“…Land-application of biosolids is, however, often surrounded by controversies due to that it is feared to have a negative impact on human or environmental health (e.g. Mason et al, 2014). As a result, some jurisdictions such as Switzerland and Holland, have chosen to ban the practice.…”

Biosolids and Sludge Management

“…The balance of environmental and economic factors in the analysis of alternatives for sludge treatment was investigated utilizing an environmental decision support system (Garrido-Baserba et al, 2015). Mason et al (2015). The team used content analysis of public debates, science, policy and facility siting literature to critically evaluate the politicization of siting a biosolids processing facility in a rural area.…”