sust-mar: Urgent: Sewage sludge guidelines comments needed

Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 11:58:10 -0300 (ADT)
From: "David M. Wimberly" <ag487@chebucto.ns.ca>
To: Sustainable-Maritimes <sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Please make it a priority to get these proposed guidelines and comment on
them.  The "Exceptional Quality" category is the only one that is truly
protective of our environment and then only if it has been composted into
a completely mature product.  Futhermore, I suggest all sludge products
should be used inside the municipality that produces them in order to give
further impetus to that municipality being totally responsible in its
actions and not dumping on someone else.  

Finally, an innovative approach to SOURCE CONTROLS should be mandated so
that the target is sludge and wastewater that meets the "No Net
Degradation" standard - which HRM and NS already meets for its source
separated compost.  This is the only standard level that does not degrade
the environment - anything less is degradation!  And should not be
acceptable.

These proposals will be only Guidelines. They should be vastly improved
and made into Regulations.  Take away the ability to spread Class A or
Class B materials, particularly on agricultural lands.  Take away the
ability to only process with heat or lime stabilization - it isn't really
stabilization at all!

Also take away the exemption from these regulations for sludge managed
under the Canadian Fertilizer Act for which no Approval is required.  This
exemption has been used to circumvent local laws and health protection.
The Canadian Fertilizer Act is not sufficiently protective in this at all.

Places around the world, including elsewhere in Canada, are having
terrible problems with sludge managed as proposed here and as proposed by
HRM.  This needs to be stopped now and this is a real opportunity to do
so.  The current direction will only lead to years of vocal
public opposition and harm to people and the environment.

The one bright spot is the Exceptional Quality category.  Support that as
the only real option.  Demand stabilization through composting only.  And
demand truly protective source controls.

HRM is currently negotiating a sludge management contract to use only the
inadequate Class A levels, with only heat/lime treatment (its still just
crap afterwards) and to allow it to be put onto farmlands.  Better
alternatives as proposed above should be advocated. 

Please also send your comments to the HRM Mayor and Councillors (contact
info at http://www.region.halifax.ns.ca/districts/council.html or sent to
Municipal Clerk's Office at (902) 490-4210 or e-mail at clerks@halifax.ca
and ask it be copied to the Mayor and Council)  Also send your opinions to the
Harbour Solutions Project Ted Tam tamt@halifax.ca and Tony Blouin
blouint@halifax.ca.

I would appreciate a copy of what you send as well.

Yours,
David Wimberly



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Friday, April 2, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Province releases draft rules on biosolid spreading


The province has released draft guidelines for applying treated sewage
byproducts to land. 

The Environment Department is now seeking public input. 

The guidelines would allow only treated sludges that meet specific
biological and chemical criteria to be applied to the land. No untreated
septage or sewage sludges can be used. 

Septage sludge is the solid material left after water is removed from the
contents pumped from a septic tank. Sewage sludge is the residue generated
during the treatment of sewage in a treatment plant. Once they are treated
to meet biological and chemical standards, they are called bio-solids. 

"Land application of bio-solids is the best alternative for disposal of
these materials," Environment Minister Kerry Morash said in a release.
"Sending it to a landfill is expensive and not consistent with our
waste-management strategy. Incineration is the only other option and
that's expensive and not environmentally responsible." 

Mr. Morash said the proposed rules provide a safe, stable, long-term
solution to the disposal of bio-solids. 

The draft guidelines arose from a 2003 departmental review of approval
practices. 

In January, government directed the department to suspend existing
approvals for spreading sewage and septic sludges and to stop issuing new
ones. 

The guidelines, once finalized and approved by government, will become
part of any approval issued by the department for land application. 

The draft guidelines are available on the department's website,
www.gov.ns.ca/enla, at any Environment Department office, or by calling
1-800-567-7544. 

The public comment period ends on Friday, April 16. 
 
 


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