Top: Land Application. Middle: Landfill Bottom: Incineration.
For additional EPA technical resources, visit the website, CLICK HERE.
Some Sludge Facts for Greater Gardner MA
It just so happens that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has produced some very interesting Fact Sheets on the basics of sewage sludge and biosolids. 3 options are covered (1) Land application in which the stuff is used on parks, golf courses, home lawns, and gardens. For that use, there are contaminant limitations which are detailed in this Fact Report on land application, CLICK HERE. —– (2) Landfilling such as disposal in a Sewage Sludge landfill. For that use, there are known advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages noted is a possible danger to groundwater. Read the details in the Fact Report on Sludge Landfills, CLICK HERE. —– (3) Incineration. Essentially the sludge is burned at high temperatures in an enclosed device. The main disadvantage is the high cost. Read the details in the Fact Report on Incineration, CLICK HERE. There may be other alternatives not listed here.
Bottom Line: What has people so concerned in Gardner and the abutting town of Templeton is the possible contamination of groundwater and/or wells. This is a risk noted in the EPA’s report which we have made available to you. Experts would have to tell you whether Gardner is utilizing all of the options to minimize risk which are detailed in the Fact Report on Sludge Landfills, CLICK HERE.
Gardner’s plan is to expand the existing Sludge Landfill. There has been significant public opposition. Alternatives such as trucking it elsewhere or building an incineration plant are expensive. Soon, there will be a public comment period. Gardner Magazine will publish information as it is known to us.