Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 17, 1993 TAG: 9302170241
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
FRANKLIN MAY PERMIT SLUDGE USE
Sludge from Roanoke's waste water could be spread on more than 10,000 acres of Franklin County farmland if the county supervisors lift a four-year ban on sludge application.The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took the first step toward lifting the ban on sludge produced outside the county by agreeing to hold a public hearing on the issue next month.
Representatives of Bio Gro Systems, an Annapolis, Md., waste-management company, told the supervisors that 27 Franklin farmers are interested in using the pre-treated waste water as fertilizer.
"The odor is no greater, or even less in some instances, than what is associated with poultry or livestock manure," said Robert Peer, technical services coordinator with Bio Gro.
From 1984 to 1989, more than 4,400 acres of Franklin farmland were treated with sludge. Peer said many farmers want the nitrogen-rich sludge put on their land because it saves them $50 to $75 per acre on fertilizer.
But in Franklin, the practice was stopped in 1989 when the supervisors banned the use of sludge - unless it was produced in the county.
The issue was brought to a vote after some Gladehill residents complained about the odor on a farm where sludge was used.
Tuesday, Peer said his company checked out the 1989 complaints and determined the smell was from chicken manure put on the same farmland.
Supervisor Gus Forry disagreed - "It didn't come from the chicken manure" - and was the only supervisor to vote against holding the public hearing.
Peer said Bio Gro uses "one of the cleanest sludges in Virginia." Upon questioning by Forry, company representatives said pre-treated industrial waste could make its way into the sludge.
The public hearing will be at the board's March 16 meeting.