Sludge Watch ==> Virginia Editorial - lousy sludge monitoring - inspections needed

[Maureen Reilly]

January 3, 2007

Making sure sludge is safe
Virginia needs to do a better job monitoring the application of biosolids to 
farmers' fields.

Virginia does such a lousy job at making sure sewage sludge is spread safely 
on farmlands that a bill to add random inspections seems like a good idea.

And it is, unless one remembers that lawmakers were told last year that few 
farms are ever routinely inspected. A Joint Legislative Audit and Review 
Commission strongly suggested hiring inspectors. Lawmakers balked at paying 
the salaries.

So another year passed with little changed, except a growing concern by a 
worried public that chemicals may be leaching into the water table or 
contaminating food supplies.

The Department of Health, which issues permits for farmers to spread sewage 
plant and industrial waste on their fields, doesn't have the resources to 
ensure it's done safely. Further, it is still unknown whether sludge, or 
biosolids as it is politely and obscurely referred to, can be used safely.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn't studied the use of human 
waste to grow food in more than 20 years. Meanwhile, newer chemicals and 
pharmaceuticals have entered the market and the wastewater system.

Even if the waste is indeed safe to use as a fertilizer, it can't be 
haphazardly applied to any land. Regulations require that it be stockpiled 
in a certain manner, applied during certain weather conditions and not be 
used near streams.

With too few inspectors, Virginia leaves it to the honor system.

Before Del. Robert Wittman calls for more random inspections, the Republican 
from Northern Neck should ensure that routine observations are undertaken 
either by the Department of Health or by turning it over to the Department 
of Environmental Quality.

In a recent meeting with the editorial board, DEQ Director David K. Paylor 
called for a stronger enforcement of compliance, which would be some 
improvement. Regardless of which agency is charged with the task, Virginia 
must make sure it has trained workers to monitor the program.

Lawmakers either need to ensure the state is running a top-notch, safe 
program or shut it down

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/wb/xp-98454