Sludge Watch ==> Region, Province investigating spill from sludge bag

[Maureen Reilly]

sludgewatch admin

Spill from a 'bag of sludge'?
Whaaaa?
I've seen dozens of sludge applications in the Region of Durham, but never 
ever have I seen
bagged sewage sludge dropped off to farm fields.

Ever.

Will let you know...when Sludgewatch follows up.

..........................................................................


Region, Province investigating sludge spill in Greenbank
Biosolid placement program 'tampered with,' say Township officials

Oct 24, 2006
By Chris Hall


GREENBANK -- It is believed that vandalism may have played a role in a 
recent spillage of biosolid sludge in the Greenbank area.

According to John Presta, the director of environmental services for Durham 
Region, a quantity of waste water biosolids leaked into a farm field and 
nearby ditch along Scugog Line 12 in the Greenbank area after vandals tore 
open a bag about a week ago.

The spill was reported to regional officials on Oct. 16, who, along with the 
contractor's crew, found a 10- to 12-foot long tear in a bag used to 
transport the sludge material out into farm fields where it is applied, says 
Mr. Presta.

As part of the Region's biosolid placement program, digested waste-water 
solids from regional waste-water treatment plants are delivered to farms 
where it is then applied as fertilizer.

"The contractor took the situation very seriously and brought in equipment 
to clean it up," says Mr. Presta, adding that officials with the provincial 
environment ministry were also called to the site.

As a result of the spill, clean-up crews also dredged about 300-metres of a 
nearby ditch because the biosolids had spread there, adds Mr. Presta.

He stressed that there are no health concerns and added that the nearest 
well is more then 100 metres away from the spill site.

"We're still monitoring the site, we're continuing to audit and monitor the 
process but the clean-up is basically complete," says Mr. Presta.

Gene Chartier, the Township's commissioner of infrastructure and 
development, acknowledged at Monday's municipal committees meeting that a 
spill had been reported to Scugog officials.

"It was tampered with and there was an impact as a result," explained Mr. 
Chartier.

The commissioner added that clean-up efforts were immediately mobilized and 
that the Region was "taking all the necessary actions to ensure the issues 
are resolved... (they're) taking all the necessary steps to ensure safety."

Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce confirmed that officials with the Region's works 
and health departments were on site, as were members of the provincial 
environment ministry.

But, she stressed, "there is no danger to human health and this is a 
potential vandalism issue... all agencies have been responding to ensure 
public health has been protected."