Biosolids are a nutrient and humus-rich organic byproduct from the biological and physical treatment of liquid waste.
Wastewater is collected from residences and businesses and pumped to the treatment plants.
The first step in the treatment process is to screen the wastewater to remove rags, sticks, plastics and other foreign objects. Then the wastewater is directed into settling tanks where the solids settle to the bottom and are raked and pumped to the digesters. In the digesters heat and biological processes are used to decompose and stabilize the solids. The Regional District of Nanaimo's French Creek, Nanoose, and Greater Nanaimo, and Duke Point Water Pollution Control Centres produce about 3000 tonnes of biosolids annually. Biosolids are a valuable resource that due to its high organic matter content, provides tremendous benefits to the soil.