What do you think about using processed sewage as fertilizer?

Question

Apparently this is already being done as sewage sludge is processed into pellets.

"Toronto currently turns only a small amount of its sludge into fertilizer pellets but has plans to increase that to about half."

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/460263

Answer 1

sounds good as long as it doesnt smell bad

Answer 2

This is nothing new, people are just afraid of the contaminants in the sludge.  Things like pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other toxins may be present.  But for non-food applications it's generally considered safe.

Answer 3

At least two cities sell it in bags -- Milorganite and Philorganic, from Milwaukee (WI) and Philadelpia (PA), respectively. It is not recommended for use on food crops. In addition, some places dispose of secondary effluent by spraying it on land, mostly in forested areas. The effluent boosts growth dramatically, either from the organic fertilizer or just from the added water. This sort of disposal acts similar to tertiary sewage treatment, purifying whatever water makes it to the streams or aquifers.

Answer 4

Yes they dumped a lot of it in west Texas.. Surprise when it rained up came millions of tomato plants... Texas would not permit the harvest for 5 years....

Answer 5

We use it in the US all the time.  It's cheap and it works very well.

Answer 6

No matter what else happens, municipal sewage sludge is going to naturally decompose into dirt and fertilizer anyway.  Its best to confine its application to golf courses and lawns and above ground crops due to some contamination by heavy metals.

Answer 7

It's fine