Compost-Amended Soil Requirements - Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Incorporating compost into soils that are disturbed or damaged by human development (such as typical construction practices) has many benefits for the overall health of the soil ecosystem including: improved water retention, increased infiltration rates, greater binding ability, pH stabilization, and micronutrient enrichment. These micro-level soil benefits in turn, lead to significant community benefits on a macro-level, such as: improved water conservation, reduced non-point source pollution (through enhanced natural management of agricultural and urban stormwater runoff), reduced erosion and stream sedimentation, and healthier plant life, reducing fertilizer and pesticide needs. As a result, many public and private entities are implementing rules and strategies that improve soil quality by using compost to ultimately reduce maintenance issues and associated costs.

Model Policies

Denver, Colorado – Compost Amended Soil

Denver is one of several communities to mandate the use of compost in disturbed soil and new landscaping as a means of improving the ability of soil to conserve and manage water. As water stress and pressures have become increasing concerns in western US states, simple, cost-effective solutions such as requiring a minimum amount of organic matter… Read More

Greeley, Colorado – Compost Amended Soil

Due to water scarcity in early 2000s—brought on by a prolonged state of drought as well as heavy demand on the Colorado and Cache la Poudre Rivers—many municipalities in Colorado realized the value of compost amendment to the state’s organic matter-deficient soil as a water conservation method. .… Read More

Leander, Texas – Compost Amended Soil

On March 15th, 2007, the City of Leander, Texas approved Water Conservation Ordinance No. 07-018-00. Upon recommendation from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission, the city adopted this regulation (as a Composite Zoning Ordinance) in large part due to its geographic location. Drought-prone climate conditions, as well as sharing water rights to the Colorado River with regional states, warranted expanded water conservation and environmental landscaping policies; … Read More

Washington’s “Soils for Salmon” – Compost Amended Soil

Soils for Salmon is an initiative established to promote guidelines, best management practices (BMPs), and policy change in an effort to preserve the overall environmental health of waterways in Washington State. Developed by the Washington Organic Recycling Council (WORC), the program was founded in 1999 to protect Western Washington’s Puget Sound by educating the public about the soil to water connection. … Read More