Sludge Watch ==> Pennsylvania - Ordinance against Sludge

[Maureen Reilly]

Mahanoy Township enacts ordinance regulating sludge
BY LISA COONEY
CORRESPONDENT The Republican Herald



02/22/2008

MAHANOY CITY — A long-awaited ordinance that regulates the application of 
sewage sludge was adopted Thursday by Mahanoy Township supervisors.


The ordinance, known as the Mahanoy Township Sewage Sludge Ordinance, is 
different from ordinances in neighboring municipalities such as East 
Brunswick Township and Tamaqua, according to Chairman Sharon Chiao.

“We’ve been working on this with Ben for three years. We were very concerned 
with its wording and have changed it many times,” Chiao said.

Attorney Ben Price is from the Chambersburg-based nonprofit organization 
known as the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.

“I can’t really say that there will be no more sludge in Mahanoy Township, 
but what we are trying to do is to provide the township with a voice 
regarding what is being brought in and dumped here. We feel the township has 
the right to accept or deny it.

“This is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens 
and the environment of our township. We want to make sure it is tested and 
it is safe,” Chiao said. She mentioned that she is unaware of any land 
application of sludge in the township.

The 12-page ordinance provides that every load of sludge must be tested and 
adhere to strict guidelines, with the cost of this testing borne by the 
persons applying the sludge prior to its application. There are guidelines 
regarding the shipping and storage as well as application of sludge, and a 
fee schedule for offenders.

If testing reveals unacceptable levels of pollutants, pathogens or vector 
attractants that violate state Department of Environmental Protection 
regulations or any other state or federal laws, the township has the right 
to deny permission for the sludge to be land-applied.