Port Hope asked to examine practice of spreading sludge on land
Town asked to examine practice of spreading sludge on land
Jeanne Beneteau, Staff Writer
PORT HOPE - A proposed six-month ban on sludge application in Ward 2 will give councillors time to examine potential problems and viable alternatives for sludge disposal, says a group of Port Hope residents.
At Port Hope's public works committee meeting Tuesday evening, on a notice of motion by Councillor Dave Watson supported by Coun. Larry Hall, committee members recommended a six-month moratorium for biosolid application on agricultural land in Ward 2. A vote on the notice of motion is expected at next week's council meeting.
During the six-month ban, council will also look at a nutrient management bylaw to set standards for sludge application in the municipality.
If the Province decides the ban is not legal, Councillor Linda Thompson said stringent controls must be included in the draft conditions for a sludge-spreading application for three Ward 2 sites currently under consideration. In addition, the Town will seek legal advice to ensure it has the right to deny permission of sludge spreading at the three sites.
Twelve speakers took to the floor Tuesday night, many of them members of a citizens' action group, 'Residents Against Biosolids', to present their arguments against a recent application submitted by Terratec Environmental Ltd. to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The company has applied for approval to apply biosolids from the Port Hope sewage treatment plant on three Ward 2 sites. The municipality has been granted an extension from June 5 to June 28 to submit its comments and recommendations to the MOE on the certificate of approval for the spreading.
Group spokesman Marlene Hungerford says the use of biosolids poses a risk to the area wildlife, watershed, fish habitat and human inhabitants. Ms. Hungerford says there is enough evidence the three fields in question do not meet MOE criteria as potential sludge application sites.
"The MOE examiner came out to the area in December and indicated there would be no problem," says Ms. Hungerford. "However, during the hard rain on May 31 and for a few hours after, he would have seen the true picture... run-off from the fields running into ditches and creeks and eroded soil from the land flowing down the laneways."
Ms. Hungerford noted conditions in December differ greatly from what happens when the rain falls. The lay of the land and the tile drainage system which directs water flow away from the fields makes the lands in question undesirable for biosolid application, she says.
"In light of the Walkerton tragedy, it is important to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the process is safe," she added.
Newtonville resident Ken Thompson says sludge spreading at the three Ward 2 sites could have disastrous effects.
"Two of the three sites are in the water discharge area for Port Britain creek which, due to slope and drainage, flows into Lake Ontario and back to the Port Hope water filtration plant," says Mr. Thompson. "What goes around comes around."
Milton Baulch, who lives on Baulch Road, says he is 400 feet from one of the potential sludge-spreading sites. His grandfather bought the farm in 1910 and over the years, Mr. Baulch says there has never been a polluted well on the property. He noted the terrain is all downhill from Hwy. 401 along Baulch Road, and in spring and during heavy rains, the water makes its way into Lake Ontario through Little Creek.
"There are many problems for wells, and sludge will become more of a problem at 16,000 gallons an acre," he said. "Take a look at the concerned faces around the room, and take their wishes into account."
Ward 2 resident Carmen Irwin says over the years, flooding and the ensuing sludge-laden erosion has polluted the fish population.
"The erosion is inevitable, and I have tolerated it for quite a few years," says Mr. Irwin. "Put sewage on those fields and tell me who do I sue."
Public works committee chairman Deputy Mayor Aldo D'Agostino says the public works department supports the use of biosolids as long as best practices are followed in its application, adhering to standards and criteria determined by the Town.
Deputy Mayor D'Agostino added the current budget sets aside $150,000 to handle the sludge; to landfill or incinerate the sludge could cost in the order of $800,000.
Jeanne Beneteau, Staff Writer
PORT HOPE - A proposed six-month ban on sludge application in Ward 2 will give councillors time to examine potential problems and viable alternatives for sludge disposal, says a group of Port Hope residents.
At Port Hope's public works committee meeting Tuesday evening, on a notice of motion by Councillor Dave Watson supported by Coun. Larry Hall, committee members recommended a six-month moratorium for biosolid application on agricultural land in Ward 2. A vote on the notice of motion is expected at next week's council meeting.
During the six-month ban, council will also look at a nutrient management bylaw to set standards for sludge application in the municipality.
If the Province decides the ban is not legal, Councillor Linda Thompson said stringent controls must be included in the draft conditions for a sludge-spreading application for three Ward 2 sites currently under consideration. In addition, the Town will seek legal advice to ensure it has the right to deny permission of sludge spreading at the three sites.
Twelve speakers took to the floor Tuesday night, many of them members of a citizens' action group, 'Residents Against Biosolids', to present their arguments against a recent application submitted by Terratec Environmental Ltd. to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The company has applied for approval to apply biosolids from the Port Hope sewage treatment plant on three Ward 2 sites. The municipality has been granted an extension from June 5 to June 28 to submit its comments and recommendations to the MOE on the certificate of approval for the spreading.
Group spokesman Marlene Hungerford says the use of biosolids poses a risk to the area wildlife, watershed, fish habitat and human inhabitants. Ms. Hungerford says there is enough evidence the three fields in question do not meet MOE criteria as potential sludge application sites.
"The MOE examiner came out to the area in December and indicated there would be no problem," says Ms. Hungerford. "However, during the hard rain on May 31 and for a few hours after, he would have seen the true picture... run-off from the fields running into ditches and creeks and eroded soil from the land flowing down the laneways."
Ms. Hungerford noted conditions in December differ greatly from what happens when the rain falls. The lay of the land and the tile drainage system which directs water flow away from the fields makes the lands in question undesirable for biosolid application, she says.
"In light of the Walkerton tragedy, it is important to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the process is safe," she added.
Newtonville resident Ken Thompson says sludge spreading at the three Ward 2 sites could have disastrous effects.
"Two of the three sites are in the water discharge area for Port Britain creek which, due to slope and drainage, flows into Lake Ontario and back to the Port Hope water filtration plant," says Mr. Thompson. "What goes around comes around."
Milton Baulch, who lives on Baulch Road, says he is 400 feet from one of the potential sludge-spreading sites. His grandfather bought the farm in 1910 and over the years, Mr. Baulch says there has never been a polluted well on the property. He noted the terrain is all downhill from Hwy. 401 along Baulch Road, and in spring and during heavy rains, the water makes its way into Lake Ontario through Little Creek.
"There are many problems for wells, and sludge will become more of a problem at 16,000 gallons an acre," he said. "Take a look at the concerned faces around the room, and take their wishes into account."
Ward 2 resident Carmen Irwin says over the years, flooding and the ensuing sludge-laden erosion has polluted the fish population.
"The erosion is inevitable, and I have tolerated it for quite a few years," says Mr. Irwin. "Put sewage on those fields and tell me who do I sue."
Public works committee chairman Deputy Mayor Aldo D'Agostino says the public works department supports the use of biosolids as long as best practices are followed in its application, adhering to standards and criteria determined by the Town.
Deputy Mayor D'Agostino added the current budget sets aside $150,000 to handle the sludge; to landfill or incinerate the sludge could cost in the order of $800,000.
posted by Sludge at 6:17 AM
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