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===Compost===
 
===Compost===
Compost is the most widely used organic component. It's use in bioretention facilities is well established and documented. In Ontario, compost should comply with mandatory Ontario Compost Quality Standards for Category 'AA'.<ref>Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (OMOECC). 2012. Ontario Compost Quality
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[[Compost]] is the most widely used organic component. It's use in bioretention facilities is well established and documented. In Ontario, compost should comply with mandatory Ontario Compost Quality Standards for Category 'AA'.<ref>Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (OMOECC). 2012. Ontario Compost Quality
 
Standards, July 25, 2012. PIBS 8412. Queen’s Printer of Ontario, Toronto, ON.
 
Standards, July 25, 2012. PIBS 8412. Queen’s Printer of Ontario, Toronto, ON.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-compost-quality-standards.</ref> Compost should also be certified to meet quality parameters recommended under the Compost Council of Canada Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) program.<ref>A & L Canada Laboratories. 2004. Compost Management Program. London, ON.
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https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-compost-quality-standards.</ref> See [[Compost]] page for a summary of Category 'AA" compost standards. Compost should also be certified to meet quality parameters recommended under the Compost Council of Canada Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) program.<ref>A & L Canada Laboratories. 2004. Compost Management Program. London, ON.
 
http://www.alcanada.com/index_htm_files/compost_handbook.pdf.</ref> Low available phosphorus composts should always be sought for use in low impact development facilities, including bioretention. Low available phosphorus composts are typically created from feedstocks including yard, leaf, and wood waste, and excluding manures, biosolids, and food scraps.<ref>Hurley S, Shrestha P, Cording A. Nutrient Leaching from Compost: Implications for Bioretention and Other Green Stormwater Infrastructure. J Sustain Water Built Environ. 2017;3(3):4017006. doi:10.1061/JSWBAY.0000821.</ref><br>
 
http://www.alcanada.com/index_htm_files/compost_handbook.pdf.</ref> Low available phosphorus composts should always be sought for use in low impact development facilities, including bioretention. Low available phosphorus composts are typically created from feedstocks including yard, leaf, and wood waste, and excluding manures, biosolids, and food scraps.<ref>Hurley S, Shrestha P, Cording A. Nutrient Leaching from Compost: Implications for Bioretention and Other Green Stormwater Infrastructure. J Sustain Water Built Environ. 2017;3(3):4017006. doi:10.1061/JSWBAY.0000821.</ref><br>
 
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'''[[Compost|Compost Specifications]]'''
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===Organic component alternatives===
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Even low-phosphorus composts are known to export phosphorus over many years. The use of compost is not recommended in nutrient-sensitive watersheds where phosphorus pollution is a concern, or an [[Additives| additive]] to enhance nutrient retention of the media should also be included in the blend, or a layer be included above the stone reservoir, or a reactive media vault be included in the treatment train downstream of the bioretention (see Additive below for available options). There are a number of alternative sources of soil organic matter which have undergone field studies which have benefits and potential concerns:
Even low-phosphorus composts are known to export phosphorus over many years. The use of compost is not recommended in nutrient-sensitive watersheds where phosphorus pollution is a concern, or an [[Additives| additive]] to enhance nutrient retention of the media should also be included. There are a number of alternative sources of soil organic matter which have undergone field studies which have benefits and potential concerns:
      
{|class="wikitable"
 
{|class="wikitable"
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!Peat moss
 
!Peat moss
|Doesn't leach phosphorus||Must be extracted from natural wetlands
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|Doesn't leach phosphorus||Must be unsustainably extracted from natural wetlands
 
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!Shredded paper (e.g., Pittmoss)
 
!Shredded paper (e.g., Pittmoss)

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