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GrowFood Northampton - UMass Urine Study

Assessment of Urine as a source of nutrients for plant growth

UMass Research Team: Monika Roy (PI) Dave Reckhow, Caitlyn Butler and Om Parkash Dhankher
GFN Research Team: Elena Baum, Paige Bridgens, Pat James & Adele Franks

 

The objective of this project is to assess the the long term effects of applying alkalinized urine to the soil at the GrowFood Northampton (GFN) community garden. The source is GFN's urine-diversion outhouse that was constructed in 2014. In late July 2018, the GUUS team installed a set of 12 experimental soil columns on site at the gardens. In late fall 2018 they were transported to a UMass greenhouse. These are being used to study various aspects of soil chemistry and microbiology as impacted by use of stabilized urine. This project is primiarly supported by volunteers with modest financial aid from the USGS and the MA WRRC.

Some examples of soil chemistry and micrbiology under study:

• impacts on pH
  • changes in major ions and nutrients
• pharmaceuticals and their degradation

Related Research Projects:

• Onsite Septic Systems for the Removal of Selected Micro-Constituents and Contaminants of Emerging Concern

 

Background on this Study

The growth of community gardens and small farms in Western Massachusetts has driven an interest and commitment to community permaculture. The Grow Food Northampton Organic Community Garden is a model example of community permaculture. The gardens are comprised of 266 plots organized into blocks with individual gathering space, creating community within the site. The site embraces permaculture gardening principles with the growth of fruit and nut trees and individuals who manage the 20’x20’ blocks often grown annual vegetables.

The Garden opened in 2012 and has been a growing community resource. However, with the increasing participation it was clear that bathroom facilities were essential to the continued use of this resource and traditional chemical toilet (e.g. Port-a-Potty) were not consistent with the principles of permaculture that inspired the Garden. In 2013, a urine-composting toilet was approved the Northampton Board of Health. A urine-composting toilet is a waterless toilet that diverts urine at the point of origin to a holding container. The urine is combined with plant waste and sawdust and then composted. The toilet was constructed in 2014 and the first batch of urine-compost has matured and is ready for application in the near future.

Past urine research at GFN:

• Analysis of selected pharmaceuticals in urine compost (Butler & Ikuma)

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Contacts: reckhow@umass.edu