Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 2 · column 1 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
By Kevin Allen
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
What protection does a sewage sludge test provide if the substance can still be applied to land before the test results are ready?
A committee charged with writing an ordinance to regulate the use of sludge in Rappahannock County is asking that exact question after a meeting on Feb. 26.
County leaders have planned to employ a local monitor to oversee applications from landowners who want to use sludge - a combination of human and industrial waste that is treated to reduce the prevalence of disease-causing bacteria - in place of commercially produced fertilizer. The monitor will be able to review sites and applications and take samples of the sludge set to be used and submit those samples for testing.
But state regulations still allow sludge to be spread on the land between the time the sample is taken and when the test results come in. If an analysis finds the sludge is acidic or contains heavy metals or other harmful chemicals, it is already in the soil.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Peter Luke cut to the chase at the five-person committee’s most recent gathering at the Rappahannock County
94.4%