Sludge Watch ==> Ontario - Southgate Township - Fails to bring Anti Sludge Bylaw

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Sludgewatch Admin:

I hear that Southgate is one of the places that is still a sludge 
destination for Toronto's malodorous mingled muck. The councillors are right 
to be worried about the pathogens in this sludge.

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http://www.radioowensound.com/news.php?id=701

News for Thursday, August 10th, 2006

Sludge by-law fails
Written by Jody Johnson


Southgate council has turned down a proposed bylaw banning the spreading of 
sludge on farmers fields.

The motion to ban the spreading of sewage sludge was lost after a vote of 
3-3.

Councillor Jim Frew brought forward the motion after a similar bylaw was 
passed three years ago in Melancthon which bans the spreading of biosolids.

He says that bylaw was challenged by a sludge hauler, but after one day in 
court, the company gave up.

A letter from Southgate's lawyer advised council against such a bylaw, 
claiming it wouldn't stand up to legal challenge.

Clerk-Administrator, Don Seim says the township has already spent 1800 
dollars for the solicitor's opinion to not proceed with the bylaw.

Seim says the cost to create the bylaw would be about six thousand dollars, 
adding it would cost more to defend it in the courts.

Frew says its important to protect residents from the possible dangers of 
pathogens that are not destroyed in the sewage treatment process.

He adds heavy metals contained in the sludge can also get into the water 
table or food chain.

Resident Glen Norman says Southgate should step up to the plate and ban the 
spreading of biosolids.

He says Melancthon stuck to its guns and had the courage to pass its bylaw.

Norman says the residents of Southgate do not want to see sewage waste 
spread locally.

Michigan closed its border to sewage waste at the beginning of August.