THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 24, 1995 TAG: 9507220048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Maddry
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
A GOOD JOURNALIST tries not to get mixed up with his subject, and that probably goes double for sewer sludge.
But Curtis Bowen is such a bright young man and so eager to get ahead, I don't think I can stop myself this time.
So, if you are reading this, Curtis, I want you to know that I'm not going to charge you a fee for my brain-jolting idea that will make megabucks for your corporation. But first, a little background.
I met Curtis several days ago in the Shoney's Restaurant at Hilltop in Virginia Beach so I could take a look at his Bio Critters made from waste ash. He's an Old Dominion University graduate and an authority on environmental regulations for Environmental Solutions Inc.
Curtis asked me to walk outside for a minute. He pulled a clear-sided plastic container that resembled a margarine tub from his car trunk. Inside the tub was a coffee- colored substance resembling sand.
It was odorless, and grainy to the touch.
``Know what that is?'' he asked. I didn't. He then explained that it was biosolids ash. I had no idea what that was. So Curtis gave me a little lecture on what happens to sewage. It goes to a treatment plant where the solids settle to the bottom of huge tanks and the water is recycled and pumped into the ocean. Water is removed from the solids at the bottom of the tank. Then the solids are incinerated at a high temperature.
Biosolids are what is left over. A grainy, odorless ash that is brownish in color.
Curtis explained that Environmental Solutions Inc., a creative Richmond-based firm, removes the 50 tons or more of biosolids ash collected daily by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District at its plants.
With so much biosolids ash on hand, ESI has naturally wanted to find uses for it. One is as a landfill. And another is honeycombed blocks made of a concrete and biosolids ash mix that do a great job preventing beach erosion - far better than rip-rap or conventional bulkheads, Curtis said.
And then there are the Bio Critters, a new project for ESI. ``We began making little painted animals for clients and friends of the company made of biosolids ash,'' Curtis explained.
He said they became so popular that the critters are now being sold to the public. The cast of characters made of molded biosolids ash includes Philly Frog, Ashley Turtle, Paco the Sea Turtle, Perry Squirrel, Twink Turtle, Delilah the Dog, Rhonda Rabbit and Toby Toad.
The Bio Critters can be hand-painted ($10 extra) but when unpainted look like they are made of concrete instead of you-know-what.
Each comes with a little tag on a ribbon attached, that says:
``Hi, my name is Philly Frog (or whatever). I was almost thrown away. Then somebody saw I had a value. They rescued me and turned me into a beautiful recycled Bio Critter. I am made of Hampton Rods Sanitation District's Biosolids Ash. . . ''
Nice, huh?
If you'd like to have one of these biosolids beauties, you can pick one up at the Virginia Marine Science Museum soon. Or, you can phone Curtis at 721-3491. Prices range from $5 to $15 each.
So much for Bio Critters. Since talking with Curtis I have decided to pass along my million-dollar idea so that his boss will get down on his knees and kiss his hand in gratitude for it. The idea is Bio Folks.
Let's start with Kirby Burch, the state's director of conservation. You remember, the one who likes to shoot wild hogs in state parks and leave them suffering and in pain as he drives away in his vehicle?
Wouldn't it be a great idea if we could all purchase a likeness of the state director of conservation?! Made of real Virginia biosolids! And maybe with a tag on a string around ole Kirb's neck that says: ``Hi, my name is Kirb, and I'm made of. . . ''
I'll bet conservationists from the Blue Ridge to the Atlantic would like to have one of those little beauties.
And there are plenty of other Bio Folks to be marketed. Think major U.S. politicians and talk show hosts.
We are talking national recognition for the product here, Curtis. And People magazine, maybe even The Larry King Show!
(P.S. Please don't bother to mail me a check for my million-dollar idea. On the other hand, I would be forever grateful if you could mold a likeness of my boss and bill me for it. Not to worry, I'll write the tag myself.) ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Unpainted, Bio Critter Twink the Turtle looks as if he's made from
concrete instead of you-know-what.
by CNB