SOLIDS FROM SEWAGE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 3

SOLIDS FROM SEWAGE

USE AS FERTILISER DISCUSSED

“I think I can say at this stage that the board is seized with the idea that if it is economically possible, the solid matter from sewage should be put into some form for use .as fertiliser.” said the engineer to the Christchurch Drainage Board (Mr E. F. Scott) speaking to the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Humic Compost Society last evening. Mr Scott was referring to the board’s proposal for a new sewage treatment station. The proposition would not be a money-making one, added Mr Scott, for on an optimistic basis the return from the fertiliser could be expected to be only half the cost of the preparation. “However, we have got to get rid of this material. We can t get it out to sea or leave it lying about on the ground. We believe it will pay us and pay the country as a whole if it is returned to the land as a fertiliser.” Once sewage was treated there was the problem of disposing of the sludge or solids, said Mr Scott and his board Jvas aware of the importance of not •wasting organic fertiliser. After visiting sewage treatment plants in England, Canada and the United States of I America, Mr Scott said, he had come to the conclusion that composting wasj not the most desirable wav of dealing with the material. He thought it should be dried and turned into a form of fertiliser. It could then still be used to make compost, he said. Mr Scott showed the society moving films of sewage treatment plants he visited overseas. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) presided.