Sludge Watch ==> North Carolina Sludge Hearing

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

North Carolina has some massive sludge spreading going on ... year after 
year liquid sludge is being spread on rural fields.  There have been some 
disturbing discrepancies about how much sludge is applied, and how often. 
There have been many complaints of illness. There is a requirement to renew 
permits after 5 years, but permits have been stretched for years past the 5 
year limit, and have also been modified without any new permits being 
written.

Here are some records of violation at the plants:
South Burlington Wastewater Treatment PlantBoywood Road, Graham, NC Phone 
(336) 227-6261
http://data.gannettnewsservice.com/sewers/sewer_report_map.php?frs=110000553712

Mebane sewage plant:
http://data.gannettnewsservice.com/sewers/sewer_report_map.php?frs=110000762489


Talking Points on Sewage Sludge
http://www.bredl.org/pdf2/SewageSludge-talkingpoints-Burlington.pdf



........................................................................
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/permit_13443___article.html/renewal_challenge.html

Environmental group will challenge renewal of city permit
May 12, 2008 - 6:07PM
Michael D. Abernethy / Times-News

A local environmental group will challenge the city of Burlington's permit 
renewal for the land application of sewage solids Tuesday.

Representatives of the state Division of Water Quality will hold a public 
hearing for Burlington's land application of spreading treated sewage 
solids, or bio-solids, in Alamance and five neighboring counties at Alamance 
Community College's auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Registration for the 
public hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Solids are removed from waste water during the treatment process. Water is 
released back into streams and rivers, and solids are currently spread on 
land as fertilizer.

Burlington contracts with Synagro to land apply the solids.

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will challenge this process 
during the state's first public hearing on land application of sewage 
solids. Members claim that spreading bio-solids, or what they call sewage 
sludge, on land has harmful effects on the health of residents and the 
environment through heavy metals, hormones, pharmaceuticals and other 
untreated substances in human waste.

The group wants more information given to the public about when, where and 
how much bio-solids are applied to areas, and wants notification given to 
neighbors in areas where bio-solids are land-applied.

"This is an opportunity to work with the system to change the system for 
people in rural communities and the environment," said BREDL spokesperson 
Sue Dayton on Monday. "Being the first state-held public hearing on a 
municipality's permit renewal for land application ... I think it's long 
overdue. In my opinion, the whole process needs an overhaul for the public's 
right to know.

"We're asking for additional procedures until a better method (of solid 
waste disposal) is found," she said. "But we do need to get it off the 
land."

But Steve Shoaf, Burlington's utilities director, says spreading bio-solids 
is an accepted practice by the Environmental Protection Agency and state 
environmental regulators. Land application is also considered one of the 
best methods - along with incineration and land filling - waste water 
facilities have to get rid of sewage solids.

"I think we're running a very conscientious and responsible program," Shoaf 
said. "If they (BREDL) are wanting to talk about a referendum on land 
application at large, that's a different issue. They'll use our permit as a 
way to do that: to broaden the discussion. All the other land application 
projects nationwide ... have been very successful, with very few problems 
when done under a responsible program with accepted technology for 
regulators."

Shoaf expects the city's permit will be renewed.

Before speaking at the meeting, BREDL will hold a press conference about 
land application at 6 p.m. Tuesday. There, community members affected by 
land application will describe their experiences living near Burlington's 
bio-solid spreading in Alamance, Chatham, Caswell, Guilford, Orange and 
Randolph counties.

The DWQ permit places restrictions on the amounts of metals - such as zinc, 
mercury and lead - that can be land-applied and how near water sources, 
property lines and residences the city can spread bio-solids. The permit 
also requires soil testing where bio-solids are spread.

Land application permits go up for renewal every five years by the Land 
Application Unit of the Aquifer Protection Section of the North Carolina 
Division of Water Quality.

The DWQ will accept public comment for the hearing through May 30. Comments 
may be mailed to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 
1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27399-1636

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

Something stinks south of Mebane
By JEFF CASALE, The News of Orange County



Officials probe locals' claim of link between illness, sludge-based 
fertilizer
MEBANE - At times the air is thick in the southeastern part of Mebane.

Known as a farming community, Oak Grove is home to a handful of Orange 
County farmers and residents who enjoy open air as well as a quiet life. But 
once the open air clouded with a rank aroma and citizens began to fall ill, 
the neighborly bond between the residents and farmers became strained.


Now, fingers are being pointed and questions raised over a type of 
fertilizer farmers are using, which some say is the cause of their sickness.

Late last month, community members, a few farmers and Orange County health 
officials met to air out concerns that the byproduct of municipal wastewater 
treatment - sewer sludge - being applied to farmland is contaminating water 
wells and causing sickness in the community. Though there is no evidence yet 
that the fertilizer is a health risk, one Oak Grove resident believes there 
is reason for fear.

"During the past five or six years, application of sewage sludge has become 
rampant on these fields," said activist and Oak Grove resident Nancy Holt. 
"Every time (the) sludge is applied people get sick with respiratory 
infections, sinus infections, upset stomach and nausea. But (the symptoms) 
seem to go away when the smell (dies down)."

BIOSOLIDS IN OAK GROVE
There are about five farms in the Oak Grove area, with at least three of 
them receiving the sludge treatment.



The sludge, or biosolid, is a nutrient-rich material produced from the 
treatment of wastewater. It is a semi-liquid material containing at least 10 
percent suspended solids and is used to replenish the earth's basic elements 
and nutrients needed for crop growth, according to Synagrow Industries. The 
Houston-based company is one of the nation's leading biosolids contractor 
and distributors.

Numerous amounts of sludge are distributed to farms throughout much of the 
Piedmont area, according to Roy Whitaker, senior director of Synagro's 
southern operations. In addition to the Oak Grove farming community, which 
receives its sludge from the City of Burlington wastewater treatment plant, 
Orange and Durham county wastewater treatment plants also have permits to 
distribute biosolids throughout central Carolina.

The sludge is produced in both two forms. The difference relates to 
pathogen-reduction levels in the sludge. Like most farmers, the Oak Grove 
community uses Class B biosolids, which are restricted to public access 
areas, animal grazing and types of crop fields.

Burlington's wastewater treatment plant produces both classes of biosolids, 
with farmers in Oak Grove using Class B, said Burlington Director of 
Utilities Stephen Shoaf.

Both the treatment plants and farmers are under the watchful eye of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency as well as state agencies such as the 
Division of Water Quality and Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources, making sure that there are no harmful bacteria or viruses, or a 
high level of metals in the recycled waste.

"We treat and analyze our biosolids very carefully and we haven't found 
anything that concerns us," Shoaf said. "We follow both the EPA and state 
regulations and know we are responsible for (the safeness) of this product."

Burlington's wastewater treatment plant handles about 25-million gallons of 
biosolid waste per year, Shoaf said. Of the 3,000 acres permitted to use the 
land application treatment throughout Alamance, Guilford, Chatham, Durham 
and Orange counties, Orange accounts for 650.

HOW FARMERS BENEFIT
For farmers in those counties, they say the benefits are substantial.

The sludge is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which helps regenerate soil 
and promotes healthy crop growth. Many of the farmers in the central part of 
the state use it to grow hay and silage corn, Shoaf said. More importantly, 
farmers get the fertilizer free of charge.

"It cuts down the cost of adding nitrogen to fields," said Oak Grove 
resident and dairy farmer Jeff Sykes. "And because of state and federal 
restrictions, (Synagrow) can't over apply (nitrogen)."

Though he hasn't heard any direct complaints from nearby residents about the 
smell, Sykes is aware of the recent "farmer bashing" within the community.

In his and his collegues' defense, Sykes said farming today isn't like it 
was 20 years ago. When farmers have a chance to save money to "work the 
land" more efficiently, he added, some take advantage of the opportunity.

"Farmers are out trying to make a living like everyone else," Sykes said, 
"and we are under the gun more than anybody realizes. If it weren't for 
farmers, the land would not be in as good of shape. We work the land to take 
care of it."

Sykes added that there are so many state and federal restrictions on the 
land and what farmers are allowed to add and do to it, that many people not 
connected with the process "don't know how it works."

"There was an ignorance at this meeting," Sykes said. "Oak Grove is a 
farming community and some of the people that live out here are from out of 
town. They don't know that this is something that has been going on for 
(some time)."

According to Shoaf, Burlington began its biosolids production in the summer 
of 1987. He added that they have been servicing farms in the Oak Grove area, 
in particular Dr. Jim Thompson's for over 10 years.

Fully aware that there can at times be a foul odor accompanied with the land 
application, Sykes said the sludge had been an issue in the community 
before. However, he said after residents were told the farmers were in 
compliance with state and federal regulations by wastewater treatment and 
Synagrow officials, they didn't "accept the answer given to them."

RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT
During the last few months, members of the county's environmental health 
department conducted tests on the Oak Grove community's ground water. Though 
tests weren't run immediately after a ground application, county 
Environmental Health Department Director Ron Holdway said they didn't find 
anything alarming.

"We saw no significant (changes) in the metal (levels) than we normally see 
in streams and wells," Holdway said. "As sites become more active in the 
(spring) we will conduct more tests."

Similar public outcry over biosolids use also occured in Bedford County, 
Va., in October 2000. County officials there suspended land application for 
about 250 acres of farmland for three weeks. The decision was made after 
residents in a farming community complained of odor and health concerns.

However, since then officials have re-instated the use of such land 
treatments because no substantial health-risk evidence was found.

Orange County's health department cannot regulate the sludge application, 
Holdway said, but it can make "watchdog" observations and forward concerns 
to the state.

Additionally, resident concerns over air quality safety must also be put on 
hold. Holdway said the county health department has neither the equipment 
nor the expertise to do any type of air quality testing. The EPA might be 
able to do a study, he said, but the county is still waiting for a reply.

In the meantime, Holdway said the department has begun to coordinate tests 
with a cancer registry group. He hopes to get a read on the existing cancer 
rates in Oak Grove.

In light of the public concern, many farmers in the community are willing to 
cooperate with field tests if it will help residents get the answers they're 
looking for. In the end, they know that they too are in the same boat as the 
residents.

"We want to be good neighbors," said farmer Tom Nicholson. "We don't want 
anybody to get sick."

http://www.aconews.com/articles/2004/02/05/noc/news/news01.txt


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

http://www.bredl.org/pdf2/SewageSludge-talkingpoints-Burlington.pdf


Page 1
Talking Points on Sewage Sludge
NC Division of Water Quality Public Hearing
City of Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit renewal to land apply 
sewage sludge in 6 countiesTuesday, May 13, 7 p.m.
Alamance Community College Auditorium
*If you plan to comment come early and sign in at 6:30 p.m.

The problem. Each year the City of Burlington spreads millions of gallons of 
sewage sludge from its two wastewater treatment plants on farmlands in 6 
countiesin NC: Alamance, Chatham, Orange, Randolph, Guilford and Caswell. 
Sludge is given free to farmers to be used as fertilizer.

In addition to nutrients, sludge contains anarray of toxic substances that 
cannot be removed at wastewater treatment plants.These toxic substances pose 
a risk to our farmlands, our water resources, ourenvironment and our health. 
Until a safer alternative for disposal of sewage sludge isfound, the Blue 
Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) is advocating for better 
enforcement of the existing federal and state regulations with 
increasedoversight by local governments.What’s wrong with the current 
regulations?  No one knows when and where sludge is being spread!

People have a right to know about what’s being dumped next to their 
backyards that might hurt them.Right now, residents of counties where land 
application is taking place have noknowledge about when and where sewage 
sludge is being spread because the publicisn’t being notified. We’re 
asking that NC Division of Water Quality publish a writtenpublic notice 
announcing new or renewed permits to spread sludge in localnewspapers, on 
the NC Division of Water Quality website and in county libraries sothat the 
public has an opportunity to comment and request a public hearing. 
Thisincludes sending a written notification to residents living within a 1 
mile-radius fromfields getting spread with sludge.  Minimize people’s 
exposure to pollutants!

The majority of sewage sludgespread on farmlands is left on the surface 
soil. Wind and rain can transport sludgeinto the air and environment to 
affect the health of nearby residents. We’re asking NC Division of Water 
Quality to disc sludge into the soil to lessen exposure to sludgeand set up 
a help-line for citizens to report illnesses, nuisances and 
potentialviolations regarding sludge applications. Current regulations 
require that public access to private fields being spread with sludge is 
restricted for 30 days and one calendar year for public lands being spread 
with sludge, but very few signs, if any,are seen restricting access. Visible 
signs should be posted limiting public access tofields receiving sludge with 
information on how to contact NC Division of WaterQuality in the event of an 
illness, accident or potential violation.
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Page 2

Establish greater setbacks from private wells and surface waters. 
Sewagesludge has made people sick, and contaminated groundwater, private 
wells, andsurface waters in NC. Chemicals in wastewater effluent that have 
been found toconcentrate in sludge damage the reproductive systems of fish 
and other aquaticanimals.   Increased setbacks should be established for 
sewage sludge applicationsnext to schools, churches, residences, private 
wells, adjoining properties, andsurface waters.Sludge needs to be tested for 
more toxic substances. There are potentially thousands of chemicals that 
concentrate in sewage sludge.

Only a handful of toxic metals, nutrients and pathogens are tested for and 
partially removed by wastewatertreatment plants. We’re asking the NC 
Division of Water Quality to require testing forother contaminants not being 
tested for in sludge such as pharmaceuticals,hormones, pathogens, fire 
retardants, and radioactive contaminants – to name a few. Also, to place 
limits on the amounts of phosphorus in runoff from sludge that can choke the 
life out of a river or stream.   Voice your opinion! If you or someone you 
know has experienced a healthproblem or a decreased quality of life due to 
sewage sludge applications pleaseconsider reporting the incident at the 
hearing or in writing. Appearing in person tospeak at the hearing will show 
the state that citizens are concerned about thispotentially hazardous 
practice. '

If you can’t attend the hearing, please considersending your comments NO 
LATER THAN MAY 16, 2008, to:NC Division of Water Quality c/o Ed 
HardeeAquifer Protection Section/Land Application Unit1636 Mail Service 
CenterRaleigh, NC 27699-1636 (919) 715-6189 OR e-mail:
ed.hardee at ncmail.netFor questions contact Sue Dayton, BREDL at 336-525-2003 
or sdayton at swcp.com

BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUEwww.BREDL.org PO BOX44 Saxapahaw, 
North Carolina 27340 sdayton at swcp.com (336) 525-2003 office