SA farms are capitalising on biosoilds that are created from SA Water's wastewater treatment facilities, that collect about 55,000 tonnes on average each year.
A massive 90,000t of biosolids is forecasted to be collected for use as fertiliser this financial year, as demand from the state's farming sector continues to grow.
This would make it SA Water's highest volume of biosolids disposal heading off for re-use this millennium, and well eclipses the 55,000 tonnes collected on average each year in SA.
Safely distributed from SA Water's Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant, organic, high-quality biosolid matter is produced every year to help primary producers improve soil quality for dry land crops like cereals, or irrigated permanent crops such as citrus or vines.
SA Water production and treatment senior manager Lisa Hannant said the record tonnage was a great outcome for the state's farmers.
"As proactive environmental leaders in SA, we are always looking at how we can reduce waste and increase the re-use of by-products from our wastewater processes, to benefit the community.
Biosolids are an increasingly popular method of improving soil quality by the state's primary producers, and by tapping into the accrued stocks of biosolids, SA Water have been able to significantly grow in its ability to meet this increasing demand.
"We have also been able to increase the amount of biosolids available for farmers by collecting more supply from our regional treatment plants located in Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and the Adelaide Hills," Ms Hannant said.
"To put the predicted biosolid demand into context, the last time our Bolivar facility provided more than 80,000t of biosolids was way back in 2007-08, setting the existing record for biosolid production of 86,030t.
"While the wetter than anticipated summer has presented its challenges, we're still on track to achieve our bumper season and provide a great outcome for our customers and the environment."
So far, the feedback from farmers on the quality and service received this year has been terrific, according to Ms Hannant.
Produced in accordance with strict guidelines and regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection Act (1993), the treatment of wastewater sludge into reusable biosolids involves gravity thickening and dissolved air floatation thickeners, before anaerobic digestion is used to speed up the breakdown of organic matter.
Following a rigorous treatment and storage process, the resulting safe, high-quality biosolids are made available for primary producers to collect free of charge at SA Water's Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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