Maryland investigates biosolids claims

Ocean City, Md.-No biosolids from the Ocean City Wastewater Treatment Plant are being used as fertilizer while state environmental investigators look into charges from environmental groups that the material is the source of increased contamination in a local waterway. “The Maryland Department of Environment has completed four inspections at Hudson Farm, and our program staff are now reviewing the findings internally to determine whether clean water act violations occurred and whether enforcement actions are warranted,” MDE spokeswoman Dawn Stoltzfus told Green Markets. She said the investigation stems from Waterkeepers Alliance findings that nearby water samples showed high levels of bacteria. The site was inspected by the water management administration on Dec. 18 and by the land management administration Dec. 21, 23, and Jan. 7. “When MDE does investigations such as this, our number one concern is to immediately stop any potential pollution,” Stoltzfus added. “To that end, actions were quickly taken to ensure that the existing Class A sewage sludge at Hudson Farm does not pollute waterways.” She said after the first inspection that all of the Class A sewage sludge on Hudson Farm was moved away from a drainage ditch, placed on higher ground, and put under protective cover. Straw bales were placed on the slightly downslope side of the new location to catch any incidental runoff. At the original site of the sludge storage pile, the owner graded the area and spread rye seed, covered the seeded area with straw, and placed straw bales around the downslope side to prevent any continued residual runoff. All of these actions ensured that the material was no longer in a position to possibly pollute waterways. “We can confirm that since Dec. 23 all Class A sludge from the Ocean City Wastewater Treatment Plant is being trucked to the Worcester County central landfill,” she reported. According to press reports, Assateague Coastkeeper, an on-the-water advocate for the coastal bays west of Ocean City and west of Assateague Island, and Waterkeepers Alliance have filed a 60-day notice of intent to bring a lawsuit against Hudson Farm and Perdue. Hudson is a grower for Perdue.