1. The Unregulated parameters (WHICH MANY assume are regulated)
Waste Water Nutrients
The Unregulated parameters
(WHICH MANY assume are regulated)

2. The Building Code regulates bacteria, not nutrients
Nutrients are generally a major concern for most municipalities as well as waterfront property owner/associations, especially regarding waterfront development
Excess nutrients can increase the aquatic vegetation, algae blooms, reduced dissolved oxygen, and affect human health
Misconception/misunderstanding that Level IV or equivalent BMEC approved technologies are designed to remove nutrients
Issue

3. Nutrients

4. P N Nutrients Nitrogen Phosphorus
The sixth most abundant element in the human body.
Primary use of phosphorus in industry is in the manufacture of fertilizers.
A key element in the growth of plants phosphorus from foods such as beans, nuts, eggs, fish, milk, and chicken.
Nitrogen
The fourth most abundant element in the human body by mass.
The Earth's atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas or N2 . Nitrogen can also be found in all living organisms on Earth including plants and animals.
The primary industrial use of nitrogen is to make ammonia. Ammonia is then used to create fertilizers, nitric acid, and explosives. 15
3s2 3p3 P
Phosphorus
30.974 7
2s2 2p3 N
Nitrogen
14.007

5. Nutrients

6. Nutrients

7. Nutrients 
Where do they come from?

8. Wastewater Nutrient Contribution
Nitrogen
Most of the nitrogen in wastewater comes from the digestion of proteins and other nitrogen-containing compounds in food.
About 75 to 90 percent of nitrogen in household wastewater comes from toilet wastes with the remainder coming from other fixtures— sinks, showers, and tubs.
About 90 percent of the nitrogen in toilet waste is contained in urine, the rest in feces. (PIPELINE – Summer ; Vol. 23, No. 1 )

9. Wastewater Nutrient Contribution
Phosphorus
Majority of phosphorus released to the environment by human activity comes from agriculture.
It has been estimated that as much as 75 percent of a households contribution of phosphorus may be contained in toilet wastewater.
Approximately two-thirds of the phosphorus is contained in urine, with the remainder found in feces. (PIPELINE – Summer 2013; Vol. 24, No. 1 )
July 1, 2010: Canadian Governement implemented retrictions to the concentration of phosphorus in household and commercial laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and cleaners

10. Wastewater Nutrient Contribution
Phosphorus concentration limits in products:
Manufacture and importation
Products 
Prior to July 1st, 2010
On/After July 1st, 2010
Household laundry detergents
2.2%
0.5%
Commercial and industrial laundry detergents
Household dish-washing compounds (including hand dish-washing soap and automatic dish-washing detergents)
N/A**
Household cleaners

11. Attenuation
Nutrient Removal

12. Nutrients

13. Attenuation - Conventional System
Nitrogen
Septic Tank
Nitrogen is mainly in the form of organic nitrogen compounds, primarily urea (major organic component of human urine).
Urea is readily converted to ammonium in the septic tank.
Septic tank effluent is typically about 85 percent ammonium and 15 percent organic nitrogen.
The concentration of total nitrogen in septic tank effluent is quite variable, ranging from 20 to 200 mg/l. The median value is roughly 50 to 60 mg/l. (PIPELINE – Summer 2012; Vol. 23, No. 1 )
Urea (also known as carbamide) is a waste product of many living organisms, and is the major organic component of human urine. This is because it is at the end of chain of reactions which break down the amino acids that make up proteins.

14. Attenuation - Conventional System
Nitrogen
Distribution field
After the wastewater exits the septic tank and flows to the unsaturated soil, the remaining organic nitrogen is converted to ammonium (ammonification).
Most of the ammonium is converted first to nitrite and then to nitrate (nitrification).
In sufficiently alkaline soils some of the ammonium may be converted to ammonia (denitrification) and lost to the atmosphere as ammonia gas. Some ammonium may attach to soil particles and be consumed by soil microbes.
Urea (also known as carbamide) is a waste product of many living organisms, and is the major organic component of human urine. This is because it is at the end of chain of reactions which break down the amino acids that make up proteins.

15. Attenuation - Conventional System
Phosphorus
Septic Tank
Some studies have estimated that as much as 20 to 30 percent of phosphorus becomes part of the settled solids in the septic tank.
Although, a 2008 study indicated less than six percent removal of phosphorus occurs in septic tanks.
The concentration of total phosphorus in septic tank effluent varies widely from household to household but the median value is approximately 10 mg/l.
PIPELINE – Summer 2013; Vol. 24 No 1.

16. Attenuation - Conventional System
Phosphorus
Distribution Field
Unsaturated soil beneath the distribution field, phosphorus is retained though precipitation and adsorption.
Precipitation and adsorption are two chemical processes that halt the movement of phosphorus in many soils to the extent that there is a zone of phosphorus enrichment or accumulation within the first metre below the distribution lines.
PIPELINE – Summer 2013; Vol. 24 No 1.

17. Attenuation - Conventional System
Phosphorus
Precipitation
Phosphate react chemically with minerals to form a solid phosphate mineral.
Common positively charged minerals are iron and aluminum in acidic soils, and calcium in alkaline soils.
Adsorption
Phosphate reacts chemically with oxide minerals to bind tightly to the surface of the mineral
Adsorption is limited by the area available on the mineral particle

18. Attenuation - Conventional System
Phosphorus
Some of the factors that contribute to problem sites include:
Calcareous soils (high percentage of Calcium Carbonate);
Coarse-grained soils that allow rapid flow rates;
Undersized sewage systems;
Thin soils, shallow bedrock, or high water tables;
Systems close to lakes or streams;
Areas where onsite systems are densely sited;
Uneven distribution in leaching field; or
Older or substandard systems such as cesspools, which may be in direct contact with groundwater during part of the year. (PIPELINE – Summer 2013; Vol. 24, No. 1)

20. Attenuation – Level IV or BMEC
Stand alone systems
Nitrogen
Reduction rates range from negligible (similar to conventional systems with the same conditions) to nearly 60% reduction.
Some of the increased removal is due to enhancement of aerobic conditions through the treatment process.
Phosphorus
Similar removal as conventional systems with the same conditions

21. Attenuation – Level IV or BMEC With “add-on” components – Level IV
Nitrogen
Most common approach for domestic waste water is recirculation –to achieve denitrification
Step 1
Septic tank converts organic nitrogen to ammonium
Step 2
Tank effluent passes through the aerobic treatment where ammonium converts to nitrite and nitrate
Step 3
A portion of the treatment unit effluent containing nitrates is recirculated to the anaerobic septic tank to be converted to nitrogen gas

24. Attenuation – Level IV or BMEC With “add-on” components – Level IV
Phosphorus
“New” process for residential waste water
Mimic’s natural process of adsorption or precipitation
Metal plates are located in a tank downstream of the septic tank
The plates are submerged in the effluent and electrified
The plates “corrode” and provide the material for adsorption or precipitation to take place

25. Regulation of Nutrients

26. Building Code Requirements
Nutrients?

27. Building Code – CAN BNQ 3680-600
Standard includes 4 types of treatments
B –Basic (TSS and CBOD5) (four classes)
D – Disinfection (three classes)
P – Phosphorus (two classes)
N – Nitrogen (two classes)
OBC only regulates Basic (TSS and CBOD5)?
Side note – OBC only regulates 3 out of the 4 Classes in B.
B-I 100mg/L TSS, 150mg/L CBOD5
Septic tank effluent??

28. Theory on how to regulate nutrients in Ontario
Step 4
Building Official regulates nutrients in Ontario
Enforce the minimum requirements of the OBC, include-ing applicable law, by-laws made under the Planning Act
Step 3
Municipality to passes By-Law
By-law needs to reference BNQ treatment types P and N and associated classes
Step 2
Municipal and Land owner support
Amend Official Plan to recognize sensitivity of lakes to development
Step 1
Identify if there is an issue/concern with nutrients
Example –Interim control by-law implemented on new lot creation around two “at capacity” Lakes

29. Applicable Law

30. Applicable Law
Side Note:

31. Thank You.