Sludge Watch ==> Delaware - fly ash dumped with sludge violating permit - called beneficial use

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:  beneficial use - just another way to say dumping toxic 
waste



Wilmington will review potentially toxic ash problem

By JEFF MONTGOMERY, The News Journal
Posted Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at 11:51 am

Two Wilmington City Council panels will examine the Baker administration's 
oversight of a troubled sludge recycling business at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in 
the City-County building at 8th and French Streets, officials said today.

Prompting the joint meeting of the Public Works and Transportation 
committees are reports of unapproved and unmonitored deliveries of ash and 
sludge-ash mixes at the closed Pigeon Point Landfill south of the city by 
VFL Technology Corp.

The deposits -- including at least 166,000 tons that violated a state 
permit -- threaten to prematurely exhaust available space at Pigeon Point, 
triggering a sludge disposal crisis for the city-run regional wastewater 
plant.

One New Castle County council member who also serves on the Delaware Solid 
Waste Authority warned that sewer bills could surge if the plant has to 
adopt costlier sludge disposal practices. Councilman and DSWA member Timothy 
P. Sheldon said city and county officials should move quickly to solve the 
problem and prepare customers for fee hikes.

City officials have denied any responsibility for practices by VFL, a 
company that collects ash and other leftovers from power plants, a refinery, 
an incinerator and factories in three states for mixing with sludge in 
Wilmington.

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials approved 
the "beneficial use" business in 1995, but only began close monitoring last 
year, when the company admitted to bypassing the sludge-mixing operating 
entirely and dumping 166,000 tons of ash at Pigeon Point.

DSWA approved use of VFL's mixed products in 2003 for a drainage control and 
landscaping project at Pigeon Point. Delivery schedules at the time should 
have kept Pigeon Point available through 2013, but VFL dramatically 
increased the share of ash and other byproducts mixed with sludge soon 
afterward, cutting years off the life of the project.

Authority officials have estimated that the original 1.5 million ton budget 
for VFL's synthetic soil could be reached in a little as 18 months. One 
official said that the agency now is considering an adjustment that would 
increase the amount to 1.7 million tons, a move that would give the city an 
extra year.
For complete coverage see The News Journal on Thursday or 
www.delawareonline.com
Contact Jeff Montgomery at 678-4277 or jmontgomery at delawareonline.com


http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/NEWS/61122021