Use of domestic septage for reclaiming nutrient deficient land

This paper reports the use of domestic septage as a valuable source of organics and nutrients for nutrient deficient arid land reclamation in the state of Nevada. A large fraction of rural Nevada is on septic systems. Disposal methods of domestic septage include municipal solid waste landfills and wastewater treatment plants. For some areas, disposal of septage to the wastewater treatment plants is not a feasible cost effective method because of the costs of hauling septage long distances. Closure of municipal solid waste landfills and restrictions on landfills to receive liquid wastes has also impacted small communities. Thus beneficial reuse of domestic septage for land application for irrigation or reclamation is a viable alternative for small rural areas of Nevada. Preliminary results from a pilot study indicate that domestic septage application to a nutrient deficient arid land is a cost effective alternative. Septage is a valuable source of much needed nutrients for the lands in the arid west. Results indicate that domestic septage application can not only restore and maintain the health of the land but also recycle a material that can be an environmental and economic burden to local communities.