“Struvite clogs wastewater pipes. Yet it also provides a sustainable source for the vital nutrient phosphorus as mined reserves are depleted,” says Don Mavinic.
“I don’t worry so much about oil, because you have alternate sources of energy. I worry about water and I worry about phosphorus. Without ‘em, nothing can live,” states Dr. Mavinic.
Publication of articles in Nature and Scientific American show that the UBC achievements related to phosphorus recovery technologies are now being recognized widely. “A brave new world of environmentally friendly and sustainable engineering process technologies is emerging,” stated Fred Koch.
Coined the “B.C. Bioenergy to Biogas Project,” innovative, locally-developed technology will allow the plant to more efficiently convert its wastewater by-product into biogas. “We see this as a big step toward meeting our goals of sustainable energy, reduced emissions and improved air quality as expressed in our Sustainability Framework,” said Metro Vancouver Chair Lois Jackson. “We’re hoping to make this a sustainability showcase for wastewater treatment plants worldwide.”
“Current global phosphorus usage practices are threatening the world’s future ability to produce food. Phosphorus is an essential element for all life, and a limiting nutrient in food production. The main source of phosphorus for fertilizer production today is phosphate rock – a non-renewable resource,” stated Dr. Don Mavinic.
The Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tigard, Oregon is the first facility in the United States to implement technology developed at the University of British Columbia to recycle nutrients into 'green' commercial fertilizer. “It has taken almost 10 years for my research team to realize this dream – a full scale, sustainable nutrient recovery system in place,” stated Dr. Don Mavinic.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lend his environmental expertise to advance North American application of nutrient removal technology developed by Dr. Don Mavinic and his team of researchers at the University of British Columbia. Their researchhas been all about producing a sustainable and marketable fertilizer. They have produced a slow-release and non-burning fertilizer from sewage.
To demonstrate the potential for sustainable wastewater treatment solutions, UBC researchers have developed the technology to capture phosphorus and ammonia from high concentration streams and recycle them into environmentally safe fertilizer. “The UBC research effort has been all about producing a sustainable and marketable fertilizer; and we have succeeded! We have demonstrated that we can produce a slow-release and non-burning fertilizer from sewage,” stated Dr. Don Mavinic.
