Val-E-Gro; Abbotsford, British Columbia The Abbotsford/Mission Water and Sewer Commission (WSC) currently own and operate the JAMES Treatment Plant located at 5959 Gladwin Rd. in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The JAMES Treatment Plant services the City of Abbotsford, District of Mission, East Langley (Aldergrove and Gloucester), and the City of Sumas. This service area currently has an equivalent service population of 220,000 people (comprised of a residential population of 160,000 people and the balance from commercial, industrial and institutional population equivalent loading). By 2031, this equivalent service population is expected to increase to 450,000 people (including a residential population of 220,000). This represents a significant increase in loading to the JAMES Treatment Plant, particularly from the commercial, industrial and institutional contributions. |
 The JAMES Treatment Plant currently produces approximately 9,000 wet tonnes of biosolids per year, and this is expected to double over the next 25 years due to the increased equivalent service population load on the JAMES Treatment Plant. Historically, 95% of the biosolids produced at the JAMES Treatment Plant has been utilized for mine reclamation purposes at Highland Valley Copper Mine (HVC) near Logan Lake, British Columbia. The remaining 5% has been used in other biosolids end - use initiatives such as poplar tree farms, land fill closures and the production of a growing medium product called Val-E-GroTM. |
 The concept to make a growing medium product originated in 1997. The City of Abbotsford retained the services of Sylvis Environmental in 2003 to design a product that would comply with the British Columbia Organic Matter Recycling Regulations (OMRR). In 2004, a facilities plan and budget was developed for the growing medium fabrication facility. This included all the necessary structures and equipment. The fabrication facility was completed by the end of 2004, and in 2005 a marketing plan was developed along with a product name and trademarked logo Val-E-GroTM. In 2007 a detailed Biosolids Utilization Plan was developed that identified mine reclamation and an increased production of growing medium under the Val-E-GroTM program as the two most viable options. |
 Val-E-GroTM is fabricated by mixing "Class A" biosolids with washed sand and composted bark at a 1:1:1 ratio. The mixture is combined in a rough mix using a loader and then processed through a soil shredder to completely mix the materials into the product Val-E-GroTM. Following batch production of Val-E-GroTM testing is performed to meet quality assurance standards as well as OMRR requirements. In 2008, a total of 1,141 yards of Val-E-GroTM was sold at $10 to $12 per yard. The 2009 Val-E-GroTM production and sales are estimated to be 1500 yards and 10,000 yards are estimated for 2010. |
