Sludge Watch ==> Island of Guam...violations - contaminated sludge distributed

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Many military bases have very high levels of heavy metals and contaminants 
in their sludges.

The island of Guam is a case in point.  They have been distributing sewage 
sludge to the community in violation of the requirements of the Part 503.  
Pathogen and heavy metals and treatment methods are all at issue.  And the 
sludge is going into areas where people eat the produce from the sludged 
lands.

So if you have a military base near you...or get their sludge into your 
community...you would be well advised to give it close scrutiny.


See these stories.

(ps...natives of Guam have very high rates of Lou Gehrig's disease and 
Parkinsons....things that make you go...hmmmmm?)
......................



U.S. EPA: Guam Waterworks Authority improperly reuses sewage sludge from 
northern treatment plant, ordered to stop distributing to farmers


For Pacific Daily News
news at guampdn.com

HONOLULU - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued an order 
to the Guam Waterworks Authority for improperly reusing sewage sludge from 
its Northern District Sewage Treatment Plant.

The EPA found sewage sludge from the treatment plant was distributed in 
violation of the Clean Water Act.  Sludge of an unknown quality was 
distributed between January and August 2006 to several individuals for use 
on fruit trees and bushes

“Although biosolids can be recycled, GWA needs to carry out specific 
requirements to ensure its safe use,” said Alexis Strauss, director for the 
EPA Pacific Southwest region’s Water Division. “It is vital proper biosolids 
testing be completed to protect the public, farmers and Guam's island 
environment.”

The sewage sludge was not shown to have met pollutant limits, or pathogen 
reduction and vector attraction reduction requirements. It is also not known 
if the sludge was applied properly or site and harvesting restrictions 
observed.

The order prohibits GWA from using the sludge for land application without 
prior EPA approval and requires notification to the land owners of site and 
harvesting restrictions. GWA also needs to provide a description of exactly 
how the sewage sludge was applied and have tests done measuring sludge 
quality with respect to pollutants and pathogens.

When properly treated and processed, sewage sludge becomes 'biosolids' which 
can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to 'improve and maintain 
productive soils and stimulate plant growth'. Only 'biosolids that meet 
stringent federal and state standards' can be approved for use as a 
fertilizer.




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http://www.kuam.com/news/22102.aspx


The United States Environmental Protection Agency has recently issued an 
order to the Guam Waterworks Authority for improperly reusing sewage sludge 
from its Northern District Sewage Treatment Plant. The federal entity found 
sewage sludge from the treatment plant was distributed in violation of the 
Clean Water Act. Between January and August of 2006 sludge of an unknown 
quality was distributed to several individuals for use on fruit trees and 
bushes.

The order prohibits GWA from using the sludge for land applications without 
prior EPA approval and requires notification to the landowners of the site 
and harvesting restrictions.