Issue - meetings

Importation and usage of biosolids in the catchment

 

 

Meeting: 31/07/2024 - Wye Catchment Nutrient Management Board (Item 88)

Importation and usage of biosolids in the catchment

Minutes:

The Chair introduced Tom Powell to speak on the item.

 

Tom Powell noted that he would provide a brief overview on how biosolids work and answer questions from members. The key points included:

 

  1. The Biosolids Assurance Scheme (BAS) exists to ensure that the biosolids works are tested every three months and is tested every day for nitrogen and phosphate. There are different criteria as to whether it can be exported to land. Welsh Water are not prohibited to recycle to land with elevated levels of nutrients.

 

  1. The Chair asked in relation to nutrients what controls are in place not to apply or sell to land that is full of phosphate.

 

  1. Tom Powell responded that for a farm, Welsh Water will visit and test the soil for a range of determinants including phosphates. They are tested every five years to see where those levels are.

 

  1. If a field has a phosphate index of 4 and above, then biosolids are not applied.

 

  1. Once the farm is tested for nutrients, it is ensured that the farm’s Nutrient Management Plan is seen before biosolids are taken there.

 

  1. It was asked that Welsh Water apply according to the ADHB Nutrient Management Guide ‘RB209’ guidance.

 

  1. Tom Powell responded that biosolids do not only contain phosphate but nitrogen as well. The phosphate that goes on is not the only thing that the agronomist considers when using RB209 and working out what crops need.

 

  1. Concern was noted that if the soil is tested only every five years, how is it known what has happened the following year, for example.

 

  1. Tom Powell added that Welsh Water can provide copies of the paperwork which shows the different mapping risks including distances from water courses, for example.

 

  1. Martin Quine mentioned that Project TARA is focusing on the transport of digestate from anaerobic digesters. Once the section on anaerobic digestion is complete, the project will examine sludge from water companies across the catchment area. Records of where the sludge is currently being spread can then be requested, helping to identify specific localities that need to be targeted.

 

  1. It was asked whether the five-year test is a standard cycle of testing for water companies in general.

 

  1. Tom Powell responded that it is standard as part of the Biosolids Assurance Scheme (BAS) every five years and then every 10-15 years, there is a more in-depth suite testing at different levels looking at heavy metals. Details of the tests that Welsh Water conduct could be provided at request.

 

  1. The Chair asked in relation to phosphate through land drains whether the drains are tested by Welsh Water.

 

  1. Tom Powell responded that the drains are not tested, however, they are required to find out where the land drains are located.

 

  1. It was asked whether the testing is done unannounced or whether it is done on a regular basis every five years.

 

  1. Tom Powell responded that it is not unannounced, and it must be arranged with the farmer. There must be a relatively long period of the fertiliser  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88