Neighbour raises concerns about CRD biosolids being applied to land near Nanaimo

by Kendall Hanson
February 17, 2025 6:50 pm

Some neighbours near Nanaimo are concerned about the biosolids being sent from the Capital Regional District (CRD) to a quarry near their homes.

They say they’re worried about the nearby Nanaimo River and for wildlife that have access to the area.

“My main concern would be the water leaching into the river,” said Jason, a neighbour who asked CHEK News not to publish his last name for fear of reprisals.

“The hatchery is a kilometre down the road, the Nanaimo fish hatchery. Is this leaching into the water table? I just need some answers.”

The CRD has been sending its biosolids to the quarry as part of its short-term biosolids management plan since 2023.

“There are deer. There are ducks. There are geese,” said Jason.

“I’ve seen them out here in the grass grazing, so from a wildlife perspective, is it good for them to be consuming the grass that’s growing in that?”

The CRD says its biosolids are mixed with sand before being spread at the Cassidy quarry in what it calls land reclamation, which suggests the biosolids are helping the land.

CHEK News has requested a tour of the property for weeks, and so far, there has been no response from Lafarge.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) says it doesn’t have jurisdiction as Lafarge is a private company, but the RDN board has expressed concerns to the CRD in the past.

“If the board is concerned enough that they’re refusing to use land application of biosolids for beneficial use in their region, we’re having trouble understanding the rationale for finding it acceptable to use it for that same use in a different area,” said Vanessa Craig, the Regional District of Nanaimo’s board chair in June 2023.

The CRD declined an interview but says it’s continuing to look for long-term solutions.

B.C.’s environment ministry says it has regulations when it comes to applying biosolids “that take water sources and site conditions such as slope, climate, and soil conditions into consideration to reduce risks to the environment and wildlife.”

It defended land application of biosolids as a soil builder with many benefits, such as reducing the amount of material in our landfills, enhancing soil health, and removing harmful carbon emissions by returning them to the land.

It also says only biosolids “that have been treated to reduce pathogens and vectors and that meet the quality thresholds for pathogens, foreign matter and metals can be land applied.”

The Ministry adds it’s “looking into the activities at the Cassidy Pit.”

For three decades, Nanaimo has been using its own biosolids as fertilizer on forested lands.

Jason says some days, he can smell the property, and it stinks, and if some problems do present themselves in the future with the land application of biosolids, it will be too late for the area.

https://cheknews.ca/neighbour-raises-concerns-about-crd-biosolids-being-applied-to-land-near-nanaimo-1239501/