CWR Presents: : Maximising the economic value of biosolids: creating catchment and waterway restoration, climate adaptation, and business improvement – all at once! |
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Robert Humphries1, Tom Long1, Katrina Walton2 and David Allen3
Water Corporation of Western Australia1, Chemistry Centre of Western Australia2, MBS Environmental3
Most Australian water utilities strive to direct stabilized wastewater sludges, or biosolids, to beneficial uses. However, the “solutions” to the problems of biosolids utilization are often expensive, inefficient in terms of transport distances, and unstable because of constantly changing perceptions regarding the health risks and environmental safety of biosolids.
This Water Corporation project has determined the social, environmental, technical and economic feasibility of converting annual pastures on grey acid sands in the nutrient-enriched Ellen Brook catchment into perennial-plant based farming systems by using a combined soil conditioner /slow-release fertiliser based on a blend of lime-amended biosolids, or LAB with clay. The new product is called Lime-amended BioClay®, or LaBC®.
LaBC® corrects soil acidity, soil water repellence and significantly improves soil water holding capacity. It also provides a valuable source of organic matter, slow release nutrients and trace elements to improve soil biology and reduce leaching losses of nutrients – a major issue with conventional soluble fertilisers.
There are many benefits from using LaBC® on acid sands. These include reducing excessive nutrient loads to groundwater and surface waters, facilitating economically and environmentally beneficial land use change, and converting a business problem into a valuable resource.
The research phase of the work is complete, and community acceptance of LaBC® is growing, with farmers impatient to use the product.
PS* This seminar is free and open to the public & no RSVP required.
****All Welcome****
Speaker(s) |
Dr Robert Humphries, Manager Sustainability Water Corporation Sustainability, Business Services Group
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Location |
Blakers Lecture Room, Ground Floor, Mathematics Building, The University of Western Australia
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Contact |
Askale Abebe
<[email protected]>
: 6488 7565
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URL |
http://www.watercorporation.com.au
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Start |
Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00
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End |
Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00
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Submitted by |
Askale Abebe <[email protected]>
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Last Updated |
Tue, 08 May 2012 11:46
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