New plant to 'convert waste water into fertiliser'

A Canadian firm has devised new technology which is to be used at a US plant to turn waste water into fertiliser, it has been revealed.

Clean Water Services of Oregon and Vancouver-based Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies have singed a mutual contact to build a facility attached to the Durham Wastewater Facility in Portland.

The cost of building the new wing will be around $2.5 million (£1.3 million) and construction is set to start in spring 2009.

Profit from sales of the new fertilizer - named Crystal Green, will be shared by the two companies.

Bill Gaffi, general manager of Clean Water Services, said: "This technology will save our ratepayers money by extracting nutrients which would otherwise clog our pipes and reduce our plant's treatment capacity, while also creating a unique and environmentally safe commercial fertilizer product."

Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies, whose first plant opened in 2007, provides parks, golf courses, nurseries and the agricultural market with the Crystal Green fertiliser, its website states.