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PRESS
RELEASE
Date: July 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Heide Kober
Neighbors Opposing Bio-Solids (N.O.- B.S.)
(919) 452-9342
Sue Dayton
BREDL/North Carolina Healthy Communities
(336) 525-2003
N.O. - B.S. Forms to Address Sewage Sludge
Group Fears Pollution of Jordan Reservoir
Dressed in hazmat suits, rubber boots, gloves, and dust masks,
members of Neighbors Opposing Bio-Sludge (N.O. - B.S.) took
sludge to the podium today to speak on why additional monitoring
and testing of treated sewage sludge - also known as biosolids -
is needed in order to determine the effects of land application
of sewage sludge on the ailing Jordan Reservoir.
Members of the newly formed N.O. - B.S. passed out flyers titled,
"Frequently Asked Questions About Sludge," and "What
You Can Do About Sludge" to those attending public hearings
at Elon University concerning a proposed plan that would cut
nutrients responsible for the declining integrity of the B.
Everett Jordan Reservoir. The Reservoir, along with 29
tributaries making up the Haw River Watershed, has been federally
designated as "Impaired" waters.
N.O. - B.S. submitted the following recommendations for the
responsible management of sludge in the preservation of the
Jordan Reservoir:
Routine testing to detect the presence of
chemicals in sludge known as endocrine
disruptors.
Routine testing of surface waters located up to
one mile from sludge applied land.
Increased setbacks for sludge applications on
land adjacent to surface water from 100 to 1,400
ft.
Testing of surface water both before obtaining a
permit and at intervals after each sludge
application.
Prohibition of sludge applications where runoff
drains into waters designated as "Impaired."
N.O. - B.S. was formed by farmers and residents of Alamance,
Orange, Guilford, Chatham and Randolph counties in an effort to
stop the land application of harmful chemicals found in sewage
sludge that may pose a potential risk to human health and the
environment. The group supports local farmers and clean
agricultural practices.
Millions of tons of sewage sludge are applied to land in the 10
counties that make up the Haw River Watershed. Free sludge is
given to farmers and touted as an excellent fertilizer. Sludge is
widely recognized as a source of nitrogen, phosphorous, organic
matter, and other nutrients which can enhance soil as well as
crop yield.
Sludge was banned from ocean dumping in 1988 because of its
devastating effects on marine ecosystems. It is now being applied
to land as a convenient and cheap method of waste disposal.
Studies have shown that treated sewage sludge contains thousands
of toxic substances that are not destroyed by conventional
treatment. Certain chemicals found in sludge can cause endocrine
disruption in fish and other aquatic animals.
Sue Dayton, coordinator for the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense
League/North Carolina Healthy Communities Project said that
sludge is being left out of the equation. "There needs to be
more comprehensive monitoring and testing of 'emerging
contaminants' found in sludge to determine its cumulative impacts
on ground water, surface waters, and watersheds. We are calling
for additional monitoring and testing to assess the impacts of
land application of sludge on fish, amphibians, birds and other
animals that are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems. It's
everyone's problem."
The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) is a
regional, community-based, non-profit environmental organization
that serves communities fighting polluting industry in the
Southeast. BREDL's founding principles are earth stewardship,
environmental democracy, social justice and community
empowerment. The North Carolina Healthy Communities Project was
created specifically to assist communities in North Carolina
working to protect and preserve their environment and health.
BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE
www.BREDL.org PO BOX 88 Glendale Springs, North Carolina 28629
BREDL@skybest.com (336) 982-2691 office (336) 977-0852 cell
Neighbors Opposing Bio-Sludge (N.O. - B.S.)
Photo opportunity
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