Nation

Environ ministry exploring potential of local biosolids, bioeffluents

KUALA LUMPUR: Locally-made biosolids and bioeffluents, which are by-products of sewage treatment, are on track for commercial use in the future.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the waste-to-wealth initiative has the potential to transform sewage waste into a new source of income.

He said the initiative by the Sewerage Services Department (JPP) and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) have produced biosolids and bioeffluents that have great potential to be commercialised.

Biosolid is the nutrient-rich organic material resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a wastewater treatment facility, while bioeffluent is produced from the wastewater treatment process in a treatment plant before it is released to the river and environment.

The bioeffluent is reused as an alternative water source for industrial purposes.

Nik Nazmi added that the pilot projects also have the potential to reduce the carbon emission rate by two per cent per year.

"This is a very good starting point despite the small percentage.

"Although Malaysia only contributes 0.69 per cent to global carbon emissions, the government remains committed to realising the zero greenhouse gas aspiration in addition to balancing the country's socioeconomic needs.

"I also want to see the use of sewage byproducts like this expanded to support the circular economy," he said during a working visit to the Pilot Plant for Processing Biosolids into Pellet Fertiliser, at the Titiwangsa Regional Sewage Treatment Plant, today.

"What we do today is not just for tomorrow, but can have a long-term effect for maybe up to 100 years to come."

JPP director-general Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah said the research, which started on April 1 last year was expected to be completed on August 31, 2024.

He said the pilot plant would be able to produce as much as 5 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser in powder and pallets per day used for landscape plants and non-food plants.

"As of today, this innovative research has achieved 35 per cent progress where the pilot plant has been completed and equipped with mechanical and electrical equipment.

"The next phase of the research is to identify the effectiveness of organic fertilisers produced used on landscape plants and non-food crops to obtain the best organic fertiliser formula.

"This will also improve environmental sustainability by reducing biosolids disposal to landfills, reducing the carbon footprint as well as generating economic opportunities for sewage operators," he said.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories