A recent collaboration between a high school student and the global engineering firm Jacobs in The Villages, Florida, is highlighting an innovative approach to biosolids management. The partnership originated when Sarah Colley, a junior at The Villages Charter School, was inspired by a Jacobs workshop on biochar—a carbon-rich material produced from organic waste through a process called pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More.

​Recognizing the potential to address two key challenges—the disposal of biosolids and the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers—Sarah launched a science fair project to test biochar’s effectiveness as a fertilizer on local golf courses. The Villages community, with its 56 turfgrass golf courses, requires a large volume of fertilizers and turf products, making it an ideal testing ground. The use of commercial fertilizers can contribute to nutrient runoff, which poses a threat to local groundwater quality.

​For her eight-week experiment, Jacobs supplied Sarah with biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More made from biosolids from the North Sumter Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant. She compared the growth and health of turfgrass fertilized with this biochar to that treated with standard commercial fertilizers. Her research meticulously tracked metrics such as dark green color index, cover quality, and overall health. The results were encouraging: the biochar-fertilized turfgrass performed comparably to the commercially fertilized grass.

​This finding suggests that converting biosolids into biochar could provide an affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative for large-scale landscaping and turf management. Beyond the environmental benefits of reducing nutrient runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, the strategy could also turn a costly waste stream into a valuable revenue source for the community. Jacobs and The Villages are continuing to work with Sarah to refine her methodology and explore the possibility of scaling the biochar strategy across all golf courses, with discussions underway about building a dedicated large-scale biochar production facility.

SOURCE: From Sewer to Science: Jacobs Reunites with Young Innovator to Explore Biosolids Management

This project not only showcases the potential for sustainable waste management but also exemplifies how collaboration between industry and young innovators can lead to practical, real-world solutions for complex environmental problems.