Prince Albert Biosolids Composting Facility

The term ‘compost’ is usually associated with food waste, leaves, grass clippings and manure, but the process can have wider applications. When the City of Prince Albert decided to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to secondary standards, they consulted with Earth Tech Canada. The outcome was an indoor composting facility for treating sewage sludge that will save money and produce a usable product.

The facility cost $2.2 million, with financial assistance from the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program.

The composting facility was built at P.A.’s landfill site and has been operational since 2003.

Biosolids (sewage sludge) are delivered to the site and mixed with shredded wood to balance the carbon to nitrogen ratio and to make it more porous so air can enter the mix. The mixed materials are placed in one of six bunkers and allowed to compost for 17-18 days. Temperatures reach 70°C for several days, which is hot enough to kill any disease-causing organisms that are present. After time in the bunker, the compost is placed in piles outdoors to mature for several months. The finished compost is used as landfill cover.

This innovative project won an award from the Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan in 2003.

(Source: June 2005 WasteWatch)

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