@article {Allain:2009:1938-6478:1186,
	author = "Allain, Conrad J.",
	title = "Composting Biosolids for a Greener Tomorrow, a Success Story at a Canadian Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility",
	journal = "Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation",
	volume = "2009",
	number = "3",
	year = "2009",
	abstract = "The Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission (GMSC) has developed an innovative approach and a very efficient process of producing value added products at its new Biosolids Composting Facility.<P></P>Wastewater treatment and the management of the sludge or biosolids are global issues, with growing challenges. The GMSC is proactive and has turned this growing challenge into opportunities. For municipalities, composting biosolids in conjunction with forestry by-products and in particular recovered green wastes could play a major role in reaching material recycling goals while achieving a sustainable long term solution for their ever increasing volume of their main Wastewater Treatment by-product.<P></P>The GMSC services the Atlantic Canada municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview. The Commission now operates a 35 kilometer network of trunk sewers and tunnels, 8 remote pumping stations, a 115,000 cubic meter per day chemically assisted Primary Wastewater Treatment Facility with alkaline stabilization of raw sludge and a 20,000 tonnes per year Composting Facility. The Composting Facility was designed to operate with minimum energy and minimum greenhouse gas emissions. It also incorporates an innovative heat recovery system (Canadian patent, patent pending USA).<P></P>GMSC&#39;s Biosolids, once dewatered at 30%, are used as a key ingredient in high temperature composting in conjunction with a variety of carbon-based products such as wood wastes, bark, sawdust, shredded hay, green wastes (leaves, branches), etc. The process utilizes a positive aeration system and a proprietary cover system referred to as the &#8220;GORE&#8482; Cover System&#8221;.<P></P>Value added products include a Compost Mulch for horticulture use, a Compost Soil Conditioner for improving organic content and texture of soils, as well as topsoil.<P></P>The system uses extremely low quantities of electricity, requires no air scrubbing and has no biofilters. The overall process also eliminates the need to landfill an important resource.<P></P>The author also believes that this approach in managing Wastewater Biosolids and other biodegradable wastes and by-products will need to be developed further as rising energy prices will make chemical fertilizers unaffordable for many. Composts can be made at vthe local level with minimum technology and can significantly improve soil organic content and its ability to hold moisture in addition to the fertilizer value.",
	pages = "1186-1201",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wef/wefproc/2009/00002009/00000003/art00087",
	doi = "doi:10.2175/193864709793846042",
	keyword = "Wastewater, biosolids, greenhouse gas, heat recovery, nitrogen, phosphorus, methane, CO2, organic content, fertilizer"
}