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Washington D.C. and its suburbs.
Sludge.. is unpopular in Rappahannock County largely for environmental reasons. Since it conies from the sewage system of an entire city and not just residential areas, sludge can contain industrial waste substances, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals. Like any fertilizer, its presence in a water shed can imbalance ecosystems and pollute rivers. Virginia regulates these concerns through a strict permitting process, which requires testing to ensure safety and prohibits high concentrations of certain chemicals in loads of sludge. However, Paul Farmer, President of the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection, is not satisfied that the state requirements are enough.
“The number of pollutants and potential toxic substances in sludge is enormous,” said Farmer.
Recyc’s Trumbo disputes that Virginia’s requirements are not enough, and points out that larger facilities like Blue Plains test more frequently than smaller plants, are monitored 24 hours a day, and treat such large volumes of water that an> trace toxins are diluted beyond harm
The BOS will hold a public healing to discuss the possible removal of the county ban on the land application of sewage sludge on Monday, October 2, 2006, at 7 p.m. in the Courthouse in Washington, Virginia,
Email the reporter at mtayloe@timespapers. com
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