Company to halt sale of sludge product
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
One of New England's leading providers of recycled organic waste recently announced that it will stop selling composted sludge from Massachusetts until the material meets state and federal standards.
Two months ago, the state Department of Environmental Protection determined that more than 8,300 tons of composted sludge sold by a Springfield, Mass., company did not meet state standards. Nearly 450 tons of the material was tilled into soil in Pittston, Whitefield and Wiscasset.
All sewage generated in Springfield is treated at the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission. Springfield — population 156,000 — is home to significant chemical, paper, government and health care facilities. Maine is the only state that accepts Springfield sludge for spreading.
In September, the DEP issued a notice of violation to the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and New England Organics — the Unity Township company that sold composted sludge to Maine customers —and hauled off remaining piles of the material to the Pine Tree landfill in Hampden.
Composted sludge is used to provide nutrients for crops. It is a form of processed sewage with reduced levels of bacteria. Sludge is defined as all solid byproducts of wastewater treatment plants.
New England Organics obtained Springfield compost through a contract with U.S. Water LLC, which is responsible for the overall management of Springfield Water and Sewer Commission's composting operation. New England Organics relies on the commission to test the material, according to Jamie Ecker, New England Organics vice president.
"The Springfield compost poses absolutely no threat to human health or the environment, but we will not use it anywhere until we and the regulatory authorities are completely satisfied that the material consistently meets all state and federal requirements," said Ecker. "We distributed the compost in good faith ... but because of inattentive record-keeping in Springfield, that trust has been broken. Our reputation has suffered, and many people in Whitefield are concerned about the compost that was brought to their town."
Efforts to reach Douglas R. Bourgatti of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission were unsuccessful.
Jane Russo, a member of Concerned Citizens of Whitefield, a group calling for restrictions on the spreading of composted sludge, said she isn't convinced the Springfield material is safe.
"I guess we still have concern about Springfield because of industrial discharge that goes into the treatment plant," said Russo.
Ecker said that an extensive review of the situation by the DEP has validated that there is no danger to public health and that the violation is an administrate technicality.
"I don't know if we validated that yet," said David Wright, program manager for DEP's residuals utilization program. "We asked for additional information that we have yet to receive."
Ecker said his company is reviewing its policies and safeguards to ensure that it is receiving materials that comply with federal and state standards and is reviewing its contract with U.S. Water LLC.
In August, test results showed that composted sludge from Springfield stockpiled at a Devine Road farm in Whitefield met federal and state standards. Samples of the material was tested for various metals, chemicals and toxins, but the state didn't test for pathogens.
The Springfield company failed to meet time and temperature standards for pathogen reduction. Sewage sludge contains pathogens — microorganisms such as potentially harmful bacteria. In order for the material to be used as fertilizer, pathogens must be eliminated.
In August, New England Organics applied for a general permit to distribute composted sludge in Whitefield from the Hawk Ridge compost facility in Unity Township. The Whitefield Planning Board — chaired by Wright — granted the company a permit to distribute 100 tons of composted sludge annually per farmer. Claiming that the Planning Board's decision conflicts with state and federal law, New England Organics is asking the town's Board of Appeals to eliminate those and other conditions.
Concerned Citizens of Whitefield also filed an appeal with the town. The ad hoc group is objecting to the Planning Board's decision to allow up to 100 tons of Hawk Ridge composted sludge and wood ash to be spread in Whitefield, saying planners modified and rewrote town law (illegally) and assumed the role of the Board of Selectmen.
The Appeals Board is scheduled to review the appeal filed by Concerned Citizens of Whitefield on Thursday at the town hall at 7 p.m.
Aaron Miller — 623-3811, Ext. 435 amiller@centralmaine.com