Sludge Watch ==> Environmentalists and Homeowners Protest Use of Sludge- Burlington NC

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Just a quick review of naming.

Sewage sludge is the proper regulatory name for the solids that are removed 
from sewage at the wastewater treatment plant.  Sewage sludge - in the US - 
is the legal, proper name for both Class A and Class B residuals, as well as 
the material that meets neither Class A nor Class B.

The wastewater industry hired some fancy spin doctors (against the advice of 
at least one of their consultants) and decided to start to call sewage 
sludge 'biosolids'. At first the industry moniker 'biosolids' was invented 
as a pretty synonym for sewage sludge.    Now-as you will see from the story 
below -  the industry tells reporters that there is some kind distinction 
between 'sewage sludge' and 'biosolids'.  This is, of course, all fanciful 
wastewater industry BS.

Read the US Part 503 regulations on sewage sludge.  The stuff, no matter how 
it is treated, is all called 'sewage sludge'.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr503_main_02.tpl

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Environmentalists Battle Burlington Over Human Waste Fertilizer
Posted by: Frank Mickens, Reporter/Anchor

5/13/2008
Protesters want the state to revoke the city's right to use sewage sludge on 
local farmland.


Burlington, NC -- Environmentalists and homeowners are protesting a request 
to use human and household waste to fertilize local farmland.

Burlington wants to renew a permit allowing the city to use bio-solids as 
fertilizer.

Biosolids are what's left over after wastewater is treated for contaminants.

Environmentalists call the substance "sewage sludge".

They say it contains harmful chemicals, pollutes surface water and causes 
rashes and infections in people.

Sue Dayton with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League says, "I think 
there's a clear message here that this stuff is potentially dangerous and 
the way sewage sludge is handled in this state is irresponsible. "

"We feel like the EPA has taken a risk-based approach in deciding what we do 
and don't test for. And based on that approach, we have a finite list of 
contaminants that we have to check for," said Eric Davis with the city of 
Burlington.

The North Carolina Division of Water Quality will hold a public hearing 
Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Alamance Community College.

The agency is considering Burlington's request to renew its permit.

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League wants the state to revoke the 
permit until research determines biosolids are free of harmful substances.

Source: WFMY News2
http://www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=103423&catid=57