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Innovating Wastewater Treatment: Transforming Biosolids into Biochar
The CRD is taking an important next step toward introducing carbonisation technologyto transform Class A biosolids, the solids left over from wastewater treatment, into biochar, a carbon-rich material that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, destroy contaminants of concerns, and store carbon. This will be the first project of its kind in Canada and builds on the CRD’s strategic investments in wastewater treatment to maximize resource recovery.
Since wastewater treatment was introduced in 2020, the CRD has been pursuing sustainable, cost-effective options to use biosolids for community benefit. In 2024, the CRD Board identified thermal technologies [carbonisation] as the long-term approach to converting biosolids to biochar - a stable, carbon-rich product offering a variety of potential benefits across construction, industrial, agriculture, and forestry sectors.
Introducing the added carbonisation step to wastewater treatment is cost-competitive with the CRD’s current biosolids management practices, while significantly reducing volumes, destroying contaminants of concern, and locking in carbon.The process will move forward in stages, with clear decision points for the CRD Board and opportunities for input from First Nations and the public. At each stage, engagement and feedback will help shape the next steps.
The public feedback period is now complete.
Thank you to everyone who shared comments on the Transforming Biosolids to Biochar public engagement. The feedback period is now complete.
A What we Heard report will be presented to the CRD Board in the coming months.
The planning and implementation of carbonisation technology is a multi-step, multiyear process with several opportunities for public feedback. We have completed our engagement on the overall process and planning . There will be future opportunities to provide input on permitting for air emissions, borrowing, and end uses of biochar.
Subscribe for updates to keep informed on the project.
Next Steps All feedback during this phase of engagement will be summarized in a “What We Heard” summary report and presented to the CRD Board in Spring 2026.
Innovating Wastewater Treatment: Transforming Biosolids into Biochar
The CRD is taking an important next step toward introducing carbonisation technologyto transform Class A biosolids, the solids left over from wastewater treatment, into biochar, a carbon-rich material that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, destroy contaminants of concerns, and store carbon. This will be the first project of its kind in Canada and builds on the CRD’s strategic investments in wastewater treatment to maximize resource recovery.
Since wastewater treatment was introduced in 2020, the CRD has been pursuing sustainable, cost-effective options to use biosolids for community benefit. In 2024, the CRD Board identified thermal technologies [carbonisation] as the long-term approach to converting biosolids to biochar - a stable, carbon-rich product offering a variety of potential benefits across construction, industrial, agriculture, and forestry sectors.
Introducing the added carbonisation step to wastewater treatment is cost-competitive with the CRD’s current biosolids management practices, while significantly reducing volumes, destroying contaminants of concern, and locking in carbon.The process will move forward in stages, with clear decision points for the CRD Board and opportunities for input from First Nations and the public. At each stage, engagement and feedback will help shape the next steps.
The public feedback period is now complete.
Thank you to everyone who shared comments on the Transforming Biosolids to Biochar public engagement. The feedback period is now complete.
A What we Heard report will be presented to the CRD Board in the coming months.
The planning and implementation of carbonisation technology is a multi-step, multiyear process with several opportunities for public feedback. We have completed our engagement on the overall process and planning . There will be future opportunities to provide input on permitting for air emissions, borrowing, and end uses of biochar.
Subscribe for updates to keep informed on the project.
Next Steps All feedback during this phase of engagement will be summarized in a “What We Heard” summary report and presented to the CRD Board in Spring 2026.
Thank you to everyone who shared comments on the Transforming Biosolids to Biochar public engagement. The feedback period is now complete.
A What we Heard report will be presented to the CRD Board in the coming months.
The planning and implementation of carbonisation technology is a multi-step, multiyear process with several opportunities for public feedback. We have completed our engagement on the overall process and planning . There will be future opportunities to provide input on permitting for air emissions, borrowing, and end uses of biochar.
Subscribe for updates to keep informed on the project.
We Respect Your Privacy
We do not require your personal information for the purposes of this survey. Your responses to the survey questions will not be attributed back to you individually; they will only be reported back collectively with the other responses received. When completing the survey questions, please do not provide your name or address, or any other personal information that could identify you or other individuals.
For security purposes any personal information which identifies you or others will be immediatelydeleted, once your response is received and processed. No personal information will be used to make any administrative decisions that impact any individuals as a result of this survey. This practice complies with Part 3 – Protection of Privacy of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection of this information, please contact Tracy Urquhart, CRD Corporate Communications and Engagement at 250.474.9528 or by email at biochar@crd.bc.ca.
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