Biosolids in Western Canada: A Case Study on Public Risk Perception and Factors Influencing Public Attitudes

• Published in: Environmental management (New York) Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 179 - 195
• Main Authors: Whitehouse, Sarah, Tsigaris, Panagiotis, Wood, Joel, Fraser, Lauchlan H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Attitude; Attitudes; Biosolids; British Columbia; Community involvement; Community support; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environmental Management; Forestry Management; Land application; Natural resources; Nature Conservation; Perception; Perceptions; Polls & surveys; Public Opinion; Risk factors; Risk management; Risk perception; Sludge; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; British Columbia; Canada; Community engagement; Positive and negative statements; Community support; Legitimacy; Public opinion; Trust
• ISSN: 0364-152X; 1432-1009
• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01540-4

The land application of biosolids can be subject to questions and concerns, suggesting a gap exists with public perception of biosolids. There is opposition amongst a segment of the population regarding the land application of biosolids in the Southern Interior of British Columbia in Canada. Kamloops and Merritt communities were assessed through a mailout survey to understand better public perceptions of biosolids risks and factors that influence attitudes towards biosolids management. Two thousand surveys were distributed proportionately between the communities. Response rates for Kamloops and Merritt were 22 and 24 percent, respectively. Kamloops and Merritt respondents generally identified differing risk perceptions around biosolids management. Kamloops respondents relative to Merritt were more accepting of the risks associated with biosolids. This acceptance is a likely result of Merritt residents’ recent experience with application sites and proximity to biosolids projects, and the associated negative local media attention. Results from Kamloops highlighted that there is general support to find a productive use of biosolids. This research supports the notion that the ‘beyond compliance’ approach of conducting early engagement to obtain community support proactively may be valuable for any potentially controversial natural resource project, such as with biosolids land application projects.