Summary

There is growing evidence that sludge is not safe. EPA, the agency that is charged with protecting the environment, seems reluctant to try to stop the practice. Richard Nixon was president when EPA was formed. They did *nothing* to set standards until 1993! It took 20 years for them to adopt the Sludge Rules that finally stopped the ocean problem, but did nothing much for inland areas.

The harsh truth is that life is a messy process. In order for one thing to live, another has to be broken down into some kind of waste. GRU has to do something with the waste that is produced day after day, year after year. And it is getting worse all the time because of the growing population.

Jamming more people into the city services areas will not ease the problem of waste elimination. GRU will just have more sludge to spread on farmland.

What can citizens do? First, arm yourself with facts. Then require your elected officials to carefully consider the consequences of the growth that has taken place in this county for so long.

Growth does not pay for itself.

Sewer Sludge Homepage-url links

Water Environment Federation, featured in the Public Relations story above. A Google search found 23,700 references = big business.

Pathogens in sludge can cause death.

A web site giving many good links.

NPR report on fertilizer.

A good site.

This site has links that will lead to all kinds of good information.

Part of the above.

This gives the history of the problem of waste.

Another site with many links.

Enjoy!

Ellie Schwab - Updated Oct.29, 2003