Sludge Watch ==> Region of Durham -Dear Minister - paper sludge needs government waste permit

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Clarington council asks for answers on biosolids

CLARINGTON -- The Region should not go ahead and allow for the mixing of
compost with paper-fibre biosolids until the recommendations of a provincial
experts ...
http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/clarington/story/3481403p-4021686c.ht
ml - 05-05-06

Clarington This Week

Clarington council asks for answers on biosolids

May 5, 2006
By Jennifer Stone

CLARINGTON -- The Region should not go ahead and allow for the mixing of
compost with paper-fibre biosolids until the recommendations of a provincial
experts panel are followed, and safety is ensured, says a resolution passed
by Clarington council Monday.
The resolution calls for the Ontario Environment Ministry to regulate such
products throughout transportation, processing, storage or stockpiling, and
final resting site under a Certificate of Approval, and under the provisions
of the Nutrient Management Act in the case of agricultural applications.

"I'm hoping to send the message that we really, really need to find out what
this stuff does, and if it turns out it does nothing, great," said
Councillor Adrian Foster, who moved the resolution.

Nitro-Sorb, which is made up of paper sludge left over from the recycling
process mixed with compost, and Sound-Sorb, which is paper sludge mixed with
sand, have been the subject of concern for some time from a number of
groups, most notably Protect The Ridges. Over a year ago, an MOE experts
panel released a number of recommendations on the product, including that it
needs to be controlled by Ministry Certificates of Approval or other legal
instruments to ensure protection of human health and the environment.

Sound-Sorb is often used as filler in berms, while Nitro-Sorb is spread on
some farm fields and ploughed in, marketed as fertilizer.

The resolution said "the Municipality of Clarington does not support the
concept of mixing paper-fibre solids with compost as contemplated in the
contract with Waste Management of Canada Corp. until the recommendations of
the Experts Panel are implemented by the MOE."

It's just a matter of ensuring it's safe, said Coun. Foster.

"I would like to be confident that we're not doing any damage," he said.

Deb Vice of Protect the Ridges called Clarington's resolution a "huge step
in the right direction.

"We have been pressing the Region and municipalities to be accountable for
the waste they produce. I'm hoping the Ministry will step up to the plate
and bring in the recommendations of the panel they hired," she said, noting
some of the recommendations, such as groundwater monitoring, are being
implemented.

But, it still needs to be treated and regulated as waste, said Ms. Vice.

"This is, for six long years, what we've been struggling to do is have it
regulated by the MOE," she said.