Sludge Watch ==> Los Angeles to give underground sludge storage a shot

[Steve Smith]

Los Angeles to give underground sludge storage a shot 



BY STACEY SHEPARD, Californian staff writer email: sshepard at bakersfield.com | Thursday, Dec 21 2006 

The city of Los Angeles will try injecting sludge deep into the ground in an attempt to find alternatives to spreading its treated sewage waste on Kern County farmland, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.


The EPA issued an experimental permit to Los Angeles to build three wells, approximately one mile deep, beneath its Terminal Island Treatment Plant in San Pedro.

One well will be used to inject up to 400 tons of sludge per day, according to David Albright, a groundwater manager for the EPA. The other two will hold equipment to monitor the injection well.

Los Angeles sends about 500 tons of sludge per day to Kern County.

The potential benefits of the project include capturing methane gas for future energy use. Methane would be produced as the sludge breaks down from heat and pressure in the low depths of the well.

"The idea of the project is that it's a renewable energy project," Albright said.

The project would pose no risk to drinking water supplies, according to the EPA.

Injection wells are commonly used in gas and oil production. Albright said this is the first attempt he knows of to use the technology to dispose of sewage sludge. 

Sludge spreading was banned in Kern County under Measure E in June. However, a judge has ruled the spreading can continue while the ban is challenged in court by the city of Los Angeles and Orange County. 

Work on the wells is expected to begin in early 2007.


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