BIOSOLIDS – Kamloops sets up committee on ‘management options’

Kamloops has joined in the search for an answer to biosolids.

The City announced today (Friday, May 4, 2018) it has formed a Biosolids Management Stakeholder Committee to seek input on a long-term strategy for the management and reuse of biosolids produced at the Kamloops sewage treatment plant.

The committee held its first meeting Thursday.

The move comes on the heels of a decision by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board to workshop ways to eliminate the application of biosolids on land. Mayor Ken Christian, who sits on the TNRD board, voted against that move, saying it was too narrow.

The City’s committee includes representation from the following organizations:

• Thompson-Nicola Regional District
• Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
• Interior Health
• First Nations Health Authority
• Kamloops Stockmen’s Association
• Fraser Basin Council
• City Council
• City of Kamloops staff

A City media release said Thursday’s meeting was held “to review the City’s expectations and goals of the committee, gather background information about the production and management of biosolids, and develop pre-screening criteria that will be used to determine which biosolids management options from around the world are viable for the City of Kamloops.”

It said the next steps will be to evaluate the options that meet the pre-screening criteria and then establish a “triple bottom line evaluation”: economic, environmental, and social impact.

Information on the committee has been posted at www.kamloops.ca/biosolids.

The media release also said the committee will also determine the best way to solicit feedback and input from the public. Residents who would like to stay informed on the process can subscribe to the “Kamloops Biosolids Management Plan” newsletter at www.kamloops.ca/subscribe.