The “Temporary Biosolids Storage Facility” documented in these photographs will resume operation in 2007. Synagro is also looking into a second facility on Otterville Road near the current site.
This documentation is an attachment to the September 19, 2006 report sent to Daniel L. Richardson, Environmental Health Supervisor, Bedford County Health Department by Nancy V. Raine on Bedford County’s first sludge storage operation. This September 19, 2006 report provides narrative description of this storage site and a narrative context for these photographs.
click here for a copy of the report
Comments
The term “facility” to describe sewage sludge stockpiling in crude pits dug into the earth on private property suggests a construction more carefully designed and substantial than these photographs of such a stockpile reveal. The word “temporary” appears to permit storage practices that would not be permitted in “permanent” storage sites, suggesting that storage might be a matter of weeks, rather than months. Temporary “facilities” operate up to 6 months of the year and can be used year after year. The first such “facility” in Bedford County was in full operation for 4 1/2 months.
The lack of defined “edges” between the “mound/pit” and the surrounding earth, the absence of any type of top cover, the irregularity of the surface and its height above ground (allowing run-off to seek the lowest points throughout the “mound/pit”), remedial measures for run-off that are not adequate to ensure control of run-off in all weather (e.g. unusually heavy rain), the intermingling of earth and sludge in the unloading and reloading process performed by heavy equipment do not seem to merit the term “facility.”
Would such a “facility” be permitted in areas of the county with a greater concentration of population than found in the agricultural areas? If not, why not? How many families must be impacted for this type of sludge stockpiling for it be declared a public nuisance and/or health hazard?
Do we know what happens to the site if and when it is no longer used for this purpose? Are residual biosolids covered over with earth that has previously “absorbed” run-off and sludge that spilled in the unloading/loading process? What would happen in the future if a new owner, unaware of the use of the site, decided to grow “root crops,” grapes, or other produce for human consumption?
The complaints from neighbors regarding the noise, odor and volume of truck traffic and their fears about run-off and exposure to possibly toxic substances resulted in a site visit from officials that directed Synagro to implement the remedial measures shown in these photographs. Did these remedial measures actually prevent run-off into North Otter Creek? What would have happened at this site if neighbors had not alerted officials to its existence? Will future sites on private property be brought to the attention of officials by concerned neighbors? The landowner who has contracted with Synagro to operate this “facility” on his property threatened those attempting to document the site with physical assault and bodily harm.
photos and aerial map
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