News From the Technical Manager’s Desk Spring is finally here. While some of you may have escaped the winter’s rain and cold for warmer climes or made use of the ski slopes, the technical committee has been busy behind the scenes organising our next workshop and conference. On 14 November we are running a one day workshop on ‘On-Site Wastewater System Performance: what are the issues and where to from here?’ in Rotorua at the Scion campus. Committee chairman Sandy Ormiston details some of the background behind the workshop and what delegates can expect on the day. Jianming Xue is part of the multi-disclipinary collaboration Centre for Integrated Biowastes Research (CIBR) – which aims to better understand the environmental risks and benefits that can arise from applying biowastes (particularly biosolids) to land, and integrate this knowledge with the social, cultural and economic considerations. The aim is to facilitate more sustainable re-use options such as land application. In this issue we feature an article Jianming produced for the latest Biowastes newsletter updating on pot trials of vermicomposted biowastes. This project forms part of the Biosolids and Soil Function objective of the Biowastes programme. We also have a perspective from our newest Technical Committee member, Seth Laurenson, on the utilisation of municipal wastewater in New Zealand compared to Australia. Seth has substantial experience in using recycled waters (winery and municipal) for food production and land application techniques for disposal. Traditionally our annual conference has been held in March but having decided on Blenheim as our venue for 2013 it seems we have chosen a popular place and time of the year, so we have had to move the dates slightly to 10 - 12April. The conference theme will be ‘Water –What is it worth?’ and we have some very interesting key note speakers lined up to talk on this topic. Papers relating to the theme and other areas in the application of wastes to land are welcome. Online registration will be available on the LTC website from 5 November 2012. There are two student scholarships available which include full registration to all events and $100 cash toward travel and accommodation. Students need to provide an abstract and a paragraph about their current research and plans for the future. The LTC committee will choose the successful candidates and will notify them prior to 5 November 2012. Preceding the conference on 9 April 2012 a joint workshop between the LTC, CBIR and Australian and New Zealand Biosolids partnership will be held. The workshop will bring together experts in the biosolids industry from Australia and New Zealand. More information in this issue. A busy time ahead and some interesting events coming up. Marie Dennis Technical Manager, NZLTC [email protected]In this issue… Note from the chairman 2 Are we under-utilising our municipal wastewater? 2 Vermicomposting good for recycling biowastes into valuable organic fertiliser 5 Snippets - NZLTC Annual Conference 2013 - LTC Committee News 6 NZLTC Workshop - On-Site Wastewater System Performance 7 Joint Australia New Zealand Biosolids Workshop 8 Issue No. 40 September 2012 Dedicated to improving and communicating technology for the land treatment of waste products. New Zealand Land Treatment Collective
Transcript
News From the Technical Manager’s DeskSpring is finally here. While some of you may have escaped the winter’s rain and cold for warmer climes or made use of the ski slopes, the technical committee has been busy behind the scenes organising our next workshop and conference.
On 14 November we are running a one day workshop on ‘On-Site Wastewater System Performance: what are the issues and where to from here?’ in Rotorua at the Scion campus. Committee chairman Sandy Ormiston details some of the background behind the workshop and what delegates can expect on the day.
Jianming Xue is part of the multi-disclipinary collaboration Centre for Integrated Biowastes Research (CIBR) – which aims to better understand the environmental risks and benefits that can arise from applying biowastes (particularly biosolids) to land, and integrate this knowledge with the social, cultural and economic considerations. The aim is to facilitate more sustainable re-use options such as land application. In this issue we feature an article Jianming produced for the latest Biowastes newsletter updating on pot trials of vermicomposted biowastes. This project forms part of the Biosolids and Soil Function objective of the Biowastes programme.
We also have a perspective from our newest Technical Committee member, Seth Laurenson, on the utilisation of municipal wastewater in New Zealand compared to Australia. Seth has substantial experience in using recycled waters (winery and municipal) for food production and land application techniques for disposal.
Traditionally our annual conference has been held in March but having decided on Blenheim as our venue for 2013 it seems we have chosen a popular place and time of the year, so we have had to move the dates slightly to 10 - 12April. The conference theme will be ‘Water –What is it worth?’ and we have some very interesting key note speakers lined up to talk on this topic. Papers relating to the theme and other areas in the application of wastes to land are welcome. Online registration will be available on the LTC website from 5 November 2012. There are two student scholarships available which include full registration to all events and $100 cash toward travel and accommodation. Students need to provide an abstract and a paragraph about their current research and plans for the future. The LTC committee will choose the successful candidates and will notify them prior to 5 November 2012.
Preceding the conference on 9 April 2012 a joint workshop between the LTC, CBIR and Australian and New Zealand Biosolids partnership will be held. The workshop will bring together experts in the biosolids industry from Australia and New Zealand. More information in this issue.
A busy time ahead and some interesting events coming up.
Are we under-utilising our municipal wastewater? 2
Vermicomposting good for recycling biowastes into valuable organic fertiliser 5 Snippets - NZLTC Annual Conference 2013
- LTC Committee News 6
NZLTC Workshop- On-Site Wastewater System
Performance 7
Joint Australia New Zealand Biosolids Workshop 8
Issue No. 40 September 2012
Dedicated to improving and communicating technology for the land treatment of waste products.
New Zealand Land Treatment Collective
Note from the chairman
Sandy Orminston
From the Chairman
The technical committee has developed a workshop to be held in Rotorua in November 2012 and will bring together national and international speakers. The Workshop topic is ‘On-site wastewater system performance, what are the issues and where to from here?’.
This is an opportunity for everyone (designers, suppliers, installers) to discuss the state of the industry and more importantly determine the future direction of the on-site industry.
The big questions to be covered and answered by this first workshop include:
• Are we getting what we expect from on-site wastewater treatment systems?
• Do we need an expanded wastewater treatment system testing regime?
• Should there be wastewater treatment system certification before councils approve installation?
• Are there investigation, design, installation and maintenance shortfalls
• Do we need more training?
• What goals does the industry want to achieve and how are we going to get there?
We have national and international speakers confirmed for the 1 day programme to provide an overview of the current wastewater treatment plant testing regime in Rotorua, on-the-ground real life performance of systems within New Zealand as well as the Australian and USA perspective. Keynote speakers are:
- Ian Gunn – On-Site Newz- Sarah West - EPA Victoria - Nick Noble - Orenco USA- Keith Peacock – Hawkes Bay Regional Council- Judith Robertson - Gisborne District Council- Trisha Simonson – Waikato Regional Council
The morning keynote speakers will be followed by interactive group discussions in the afternoon. From these, we hope to develop an action plan for the future direction of the industry so that we achieve quality outcomes in on-site wastewater design, installation and management.
Feedback to date indicates strong interest in the workshop and we are anticipating a very informative range of keynote speeches followed by lively discussions. I look forward to seeing you at this important workshop and have your say in determining the future direction of the on-site wastewater industry within New Zealand.
Sandy OrmistonChairman
In New Zealand the demand for irrigation water has steadily increased over the past decade, particularly in regions such as Canterbury, North Otago and Marlborough. This is due largely to favourable commodity prices and subsequent intensification of land-use. However, this increase in irrigation has generally been to the detriment of water quality in many lakes and rivers, an issue that is of paramount public concern. The degradation in water quality results from anthropogenic nutrient enrichment from surface water run-off as well as a reduction in flow volume that limits assimilation of the nutrient load. Schemes that apply wastewater to land have been advocated by most regional councils as the preferred method of final treatment and discharge. By and large this has been approached from a view of disposal as opposed to re-use; however, there is increasing realisation that better utilisation of wastewater will have both economic and environmental benefits.
Approximately 1450 million litres of wastewater are generated every day and processed by 322 municipal treatment plants. The average flow of wastewater is around 410 litres per person, per day. For nearly 72% of plants, final discharge is to fresh water or ocean, with the remainder discharging to land. With adequate treatment and management, the use of these wastewaters in agricultural production systems can play an essential role in local hydrology by reducing environmental pollution associated with direct discharge to surface waters while also providing a valuable water and nutrient resource. Important components of a successful wastewater re-use scheme include: (i) population of the metropolitan region in relation to both the volume of wastewater produced and demand for horticultural products; (ii) the size of the water demand in relation to the current agricultural production; and (iii) the cost of water distribution in relation to the economic return from the land use.
Wastewater management in South AustraliaIn Australia around 24,000 GL of water are used within the industry and domestic sectors per annum. The vast majority (65%) is consumed within the agricultural industry for irrigation, followed by domestic supply that consumes 24%. With an intention to safeguard against water shortages and help restore the health of river eco-systems, current initiatives aim to better utilise alternative water supplies such as storm water and recycling of wastewaters for food production.
In South Australia, the governmental water authority, SA Water, treats 95,000 ML of wastewater annually through three major WWTP’s servicing around 1.2 million people in metropolitan Adelaide. Bolivar treats approximately 45,000 ML wastewater annually and has resulted in high quality Class A treated wastewater being piped to
Are we under-utilising our municipal wastewater ?Seth Laurenson, AgResearch
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Bolivar WWTPAnnual Inflow: 45 GL
Glenelg WWTPAnnual Inflow: 20 GL
Christies Beach WWTPAnnual Inflow: 9 GL
Country WWTP’s (combined)Annual Inflow: 12 GL
Recycled: 1.3 GL p.a.
Recycled: 4 GL p.a.
Recycled: 2.8 GL p.a.
McLaren Vale
AdelaideAdelaide Hills
Barossa
Recycled: 18 GL p.a.
Figure 1. Wastewater Treatment Plants around Adelaide (indicated by red stars) and proportion of waste stream re-used for irrigation. Figure 3. Carrots grown in Angle Vale using wastewater from the Bolivar
Wastewater Treatment Plant for irrigation.
Figure 4. Tomatoes grown in glasshouses on the North Adelaide Plains round the use wastewater from the Bolivar WWTP for irrigation throughout the year.
Figure 2. The purple pipe network that delivers recycled wastewater to farmers in Willunga, south of Adelaide.
vegetable growers on the Northern Adelaide Plains. Glenelg treats approximately 21,000 ML wastewater annually. A high percentage of the treated wastewater is then used to irrigate parks and sports playing fields around Adelaide. Christies Beach treats about 11,000 ML annually and provides treated wastewater to the important wine growing region of McLaren Vale. Wastewater users are charged an annual fee (approximately AUD$750 per ML) based on a set allocation. Two important benefits are gained through the treatment and re-use approach. These are: (i) reduced amount of treated wastewater entering Gulf St Vincent; and (ii) recycling of high quality treated wastewater for irrigation purposes.
Depending on the degree of treatment, a wastewater of definable quality is produced from the wastewater treatment process. In South Australia, treated wastewater quality is classified as Class A, B, C or D. When used for
irrigation, the level of treatment (i.e. Class) determines the degree of restriction placed on crop type and irrigation method permissible. Recycled water of Class A (equivalent to the Californian Standard Title 22), for example, has received a level of treatment greater than classes B to D and is suitable for unrestricted irrigation to all crop and fodder types. The use of class C recycled water however is restricted to a limited selection of crops. In the case of Bolivar WWTP, Class A wastewater is produced enabling unrestricted irrigation of all horticultural crops, including cauliflower, cabbage and potato along with a number of salad crops that are typically eaten raw such as lettuce, tomato and capsicum. Other tree and vine crops such as olives and grapes also receive recycled water irrigation. The current production area under wastewater irrigation in Northern Adelaide Plains is approximately 9,000 hectares consisting of both glasshouse and field based market gardens.
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Figure 5. Wastewater quality and permissible use in South Australia and New Zealand
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Re-use potential of wastewater in New ZealandAlthough New Zealand is faced with the same environmental imperative to manage large volumes of wastewater, land application schemes are commonly limited in their economic viability. These limits result from the greater land areas required to achieve suitable hydraulic loading rates due to lower irrigation demands and wetter winters. As the area needed for land application increases, so do distribution costs.
However, demand for animal feed is increasing throughout New Zealand, primarily due to expansion and intensification of the Dairy Industry. Assuming animal production grows by 3% p.a. it is expected that a 3-fold increase in animal feed will be required by 2050. In many areas of New Zealand, the increased quantity feed required will exceed the amount that can be grown on land currently under, or deemed suitable for, improved pasture and crop. Therefore, there will be greater reliance on imported feedstuff from other regions of the country where cut and carry systems operate. Pasture and crops grown with municipal wastewater have the potential to supply a portion of this demand. The benefit of using wastewater in this way is four-fold: (1) it will help lower the nutrient load to surface waters by reducing direct discharge volumes; (2) it may be the most cost-effective means of treatment; (3) it will lower the volume of water extracted from rivers; and (4) is more culturally acceptable.
Under the Dairy Industry Environment and Animal Welfare Policy (2000) the spreading of human waste to grazed pasture or to feed crops for dairy animals, has been banned. A revision of policy by Fonterra in 2005 led to the development of guidelines that would allow city councils to irrigate human effluent to pasture supporting dairy. Wastewater that meets the Californian Standard Title 22 (Class A in the Australian metric used above) can be used to irrigate pasture or feed that is fed to lactating animals supplying Fonterra. Feed grown with wastewater that does not meet the Californian Standard Title 22 may be fed to dry stock but not within 30 days before the start of lactation. No sewage sludge derived from the treatment of human waste may be used to grow pasture or feed that is given to lactating animals.
When considering the successful integration of recycled water into agricultural systems, it is imperative that: (i) optimal productivity of that system is maintained or enhanced; (ii) any negative impact to off-site environments due to nutrient loss is minimised; and (iii) distribution of the agricultural product is not compromised by negative public perception. There are several examples of successful systems currently operating in Australia where agricultural success is not compromised by product quality and/or negative public perception. To ensure sustainable irrigation practices, regulation will need coupling with grower information and education programs aimed at promoting awareness of potential effects arising from recycled water irrigation on soils and the natural environment.
Vegetables(no ground
contact)
Wine Grapes(surface)
Wine Grapes(sub surface)
South Australia
New Zealand
CLASS : D C B A
Animal Fodderand grazing
Salad Crops(spray)
unrestricted irrigation
Non-potable residential
septic tank lagoons disinfection(filtration)
Cal. Health Law (Title 22)
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Jianming Xue
Vermicomposting of biosolids is increasingly used in New Zealand. However, little is known about the impact of vermicomposted biosolids on soil biological processes and tree growth of exotic and native species. Recently, we completed a nine-month glasshouse pot trial, which was conducted to investigate the effect of two biosolids and two vermicomposted biosolids on the seedling growth of three tree species and their uptake of nutrients and heavy metals. Overall, the addition of biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids improved the seedling growth of exotic (radiata pine) and native (manuka and totara) tree species grown on a low fertility soil, which was comparable with diammonium phosphate (DAP) applied at a rate equivalent to 133.3 kg N ha-1. Addition of biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids increased needle net photosynthesis (DAP too) and root ectomycorrhizal colonisation of radiata pine. Radiata pine grew faster (than manuka and totara) and larger in the soils amended with Taupo (fresh) biosolids and two vermicomposted biosolids. Manuka and Totara grew relatively slowly but had greater growth in the treatment amended with vermicomposted Taupo biosolids than other treatments.
Kaikoura (aged) biosolids were less effective in stimulating seedling growth compared to Taupo (fresh) biosolids and two vermicomposted biosolids. The increased seedling growth of exotic and native species after the addition of biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids was related to the improved plant nutrition, mainly N and P. Application of biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids at the loading rate of 400 kg nitrogen ha-1 had little effect on the uptake of heavy metals by both radiata pine and totara.
A new pot trial with similar experimental design to the above one was established in the glasshouse at Scion in April 2012. This pot trial is testing if vermicomposting will be effective to convert the septic tank waste into a product rich in plant nutrients, but with reduced organic contaminants and bioavailability of metals, which can be used as a high value fertiliser.
Vermicomposting good for recycling biowastes into valuable organic fertiliser
NZLTC Annual Conference 2013The 2013 NZLTC conference will be held from 10 to 12 April at the Marlborough Convention Centre in Blenheim. The theme of the conference – “Water, What is it worth?” will cover water use, reuse, footprinting and environmental effects associated.
Keynote Speakers
Colin Gray: Marlborough District Council
Dr Colin Gray is an environmental scientist at the Marlborough District Council. The main focus of this role is managing the soils and contaminated land portfolios within Council. Since graduating from Waikato University (MSc) and Lincoln University (PhD) he has participated in and lead research projects on heavy metal contamination, selenium uptake, and developing management strategies for contaminated sites, including phyto-remediation and immobilisation. He has worked at Lincoln University and Rothamsted Research, UK, as well as stints as a visiting scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Mahidol University in Thailand.
Brent Clothier: Plant and Food
Brent Clothier is Group Leader of Systems Modelling within Plant & Food Research. Brent is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Earth & Environment of the University of Western Australia, and an Adjunct Professor in the New Zealand Life Cycle Management Centre of Massey University.
Brent has published over 200 scientific papers on the movement and fate of water, carbon and chemicals in production systems, as well as on environmental policy and natural capital valuation. Brent is a Joint Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Agricultural Water Management.
Brian Rogan: Ministry for Primary Industry
Currently employed by MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries), Brian is a specialist adviser on seafood based in Blenheim. A key role of this position is Regional Shellfish Specialist and he is responsible for ensuring all shellfish-growing areas comply with the New Zealand shellfish sanitation legal requirements. This work involves technical reviews of shellfish sanitation programmes, giving technical advice and training so ensuring shellfish are safe for human consumption and meet overseas market requirements.
Brian studied at Otago University, gaining a BSc and subsequently trained and qualified as a Health Protection Officer (HPO) with a Royal Society Diploma for Public Health Inspectors. In his HPO role for Nelson-
SnippetsMarlborough Area Health Board (1989-1993), he was responsible for the Marlborough Sounds shellfish growing areas undertaking sanitary surveys and completing the reporting requirements. He joined MAF, as it was then, in 1993 and has since had the role of Regional Shellfish Specialist, attending and presenting at numerous international conferences on shellfish safety.
2013 NZLTC Conference Abstracts are due by 30 November 2012.
LTC Committee NewsNewly elected Technical committee member, Victor Mthambo, is on the move already. Victor is forming his own company and has had to resign his position on the Technical committee in the interim while he sets up business. We wish Victor well and hope to see him back in the LTC in the near future.
Taking his place on the committee is Rob Lieffering who stood for re-election at the last AGM.
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On-Site Wastewater System Perfomance:what are the issues and where to from here
One Day Workshop
A one day workshop for open discussion on the current status of on-site treatment and land application systems performance in the real world.
Who Should AttendRegionalandDistrictCouncils,consultants,designers,suppliers,installers,maintenanceproviders
RegistrationRegistration forms are available from:[email protected] or www.scionresearch.com/nzltc. Please RSVP by 30 October 2012. Cost: $100 plus GST.
Date:
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Venue:
Scion, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua9.30am to 4.30pm
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Joint Australia New Zealand Biosolids workshop
A workshop will be held preceding the Land Treatment Collective Annual Conference that will bring together experts in the biosolids industry from Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of the workshop is to review the latest research, policy and guidelines and offer the opportunity for cross-Tasman knowledge sharing and foster closer linkages within the Australasian biosolids industry.
• New Zealand Centre for Integrated Biowastes Research (CIBR) launch
• Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP) - what is it, howcanitbenefitme?
• Review of Australia/New Zealand Biosolids Guidelines - common issues, international trends, and new science
• Research updates:
• Australia - laboratory scale investigations of potential odour reduction measures in biosolids
• New Zealand - predicting the behaviour of nutrients and contaminants (organic, inorganic and biological) present in differently treated biosolids
• Community engagement in the management of biosolids - developing a best practice model
• Biosolids & Climate Change - minimising your impacts
• Up-the-pipe Solutions - a framework to reduce contaminants in biowastes
Workshop Agenda:
Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership
Tuesday 9th April 201310am – 5pm
Marlborough Convention Centre
42a Alfred Street, Blenheim
Utilities, regulators, contractors and researchers who deal with biosolids are encouraged to attend this workshop.Whoshouldattend?
Additional Information & Registration:
Centre for Integrated Biowastes Research (CIBR) - a multidisciplinary research collaboration that aims to better understandtheenvironmentalrisksandbenefitsthatcanarisefrombeneficialuseofbiowaste(particularlytheapplicationof biosolids to land), and integrate this knowledge with the social, cultural and economic considerations, with the aim offacilitatingagreaterextentofbeneficialuseofbiowastes.
NZLTC - The New Zealand Land Treatment Collective, established in 1989 to support the extension of research into the treatment of wastes and waste products by land application, providing its members with the most recent information on land treatment technology, research and information.
ANZBP - The Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP) was formed in 2007 to promote the sustainable management of biosolids. Hosted by the Australian Water Association (AWA), the ANZBP aims to support the water industry on technical and regulatory components of biosolids management.
Hosts:
Limited to 80 participants Attendance:
Those interested in attending the workshop should complete the attached registration form and email it or fax it to Jacqui Horswell, ESR in NZ and Greg Priest, AWA/ANZBP in Australia. Morning tea, a light lunch and afternoon tea will be served.
Dr Jacqui Horswell Science Leader, Biowastes Research Programme Leader ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd)T +64 4 914 0684 | M +64 27 5505149Mail to: [email protected]
Australia:
New Zealand:Please send the registration form to:
Gregory PriestProject Manager - SustainabilityAustralian Water AssociationT 0417 174 307Mail to: [email protected]
