The Education Committee is responsible for creating and maintaining a robust education program for the NWB members and ensuring that content created by the organization is communicated and accessible to the members. The Education Committee will work closely with the Membership Committee and Research Committee to ensure NWB is providing the content the members want and communicating research deliverables effectively. There is a Biofest sub-Committee that plans and organizes the Northwest Biosolids Annual Biosolids Management Conference, known by many as “Biofest.” Northwest Biosolids has held an annual conference since 1988 and recent years’ conferences have attracted an average of 125 attendees. For more info on Biofest, please click here.

The Outreach Committee is responsible for developing relationships with relevant regulatory, governmental, non-profit, and private organizations in order to advocate for the continuation and growth of science-based beneficial use of biosolids. The Outreach Committee will work closely with the Membership Committee to provide support to members on regulatory and political issues.

The Membership Committee is responsible for ensuring that NWB is aware of and responsive to member needs. The Membership Committee will work closely with the Education, Outreach, and Research Committees to ensure that membership needs are represented in all organizational efforts. In addition, the Membership Committee will work with the ED to recruit new NWB members.

Independent, scientific research is a core part of Northwest Biosolids. The Research and Demonstration Committee funds new research through the University of Washington, Washington State University, University of British Columbia, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho and the University of Arizona. University representatives conduct research on biosolids management and its effects on the environment, working closely with biosolids managers and regulators to develop science-based regulations, guidelines and best management practices. The Committee works on special projects and monitors this research being conducted on biosolids issues and alerts members to new developments contained in research findings. Committee members visit potential application sites at the request of NW Biosolids members to advise on environmental, public health, community relations and operations questions.

Recent achievements of this Committee include:

• Coordinated a risk analysis on trace organics from pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which was completed by the University of Washington and Kennedy/Jenks
• Published NW Biosolids Research Summaries and Stories
• Hosted webinars and workshops related to research projects, such as a webinar on the trace organics risk analysis
• Given presentations and answered technical questions from members and the public

In the past, the Committee has:

• Generated literature reviews on environmental, human health, and other topics related to biosolids management
• Created regional biosolids demonstration sites, where the positive effects of biosolids as a fertilizer and soil conditioner can be seen
• Formed Interest Groups to address research issues related to Forested Watersheds, Poplars, Rangeland, Soil Quality and Nitrogen
• Developed fact sheets on research and demonstration projects
• Co-sponsored an international forest symposium: The Forest Alternative: Principles and Practice of Residuals Use at the University of Washington
• Organized Research Days discussing the state of biosolids research in the Pacific Northwest
• Developed biosolids management guidelines for the Pacific Northwest