From: Brian and Kim Scheidt; Doug and Linda Scheidt; and Mitchel & Kristen Paswater
Columbus
In response to an article in The Republic’s January 13-14 edition, “Officials: Sewage sludge is low risk if applied properly”, the farmers who voiced their concerns to the County Commissioners on Jan. 8 in regards to the proposed land application and storage facility site of sewage/sludge adjacent to their homes and private wells were protecting their families. And the comment by Columbus City Utilities Director Roger Kelso — “It would be literally like winning the lottery if it would ever cause a problem” — was ignorant and condescending.
Per EPA, “forever chemicals”, or PFAS, are designed by scientists to not break down in the environment. PFAS enter public wastewater treatment systems through industrial, commercial and domestic sources. The EPA doesn’t regulate or test for most PFAS chemicals. The EPA reports there are more than 12,000 PFAS. Not all can be detected with current tests. IPB News reported in 2021 the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) tested 24 utilities in the state having detectable levels of PFAS above the federal health guidelines. One of those that exceeded the toxic PFAS levels was Columbus. Congratulations, Columbus won the lottery!
The land application of Class B biosolids undergo treatment at the wastewater treatment facilities that has “reduced but not eliminated pathogens,” per the CDC website. EPA rules restrict public access to lands treated with Class B biosolids in order to protect public health. Pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites in biosolids are present in the intestinal tract of humans. Exposure to these pathogens can pose a health risk not only for the employee who spreads the biosolids but those who live near the site. EPA reports “that high-pressure spray applications may result in some aerosolization of pathogens and that application or incorporation of dewatered biosolids may cause very localized fine particulate/dust conditions”. Our drinking water wells may be exposed to pollutants when biosolids are applied and/or stored at this location. With some of Bartholomew County receiving an inch of rain on Jan. 12, and wind gusts of up to 30 mph, it is very likely biosolids will be incorporated into our groundwater via land application from water run-off from fields to our creeks to our aquifers. Air quality will be compromised from the odor of the biosolids as well as the effects of airborne soil particles.
According to a published report by the Bioscience Resources Project, “Risk assessment is complex because sludge contains highly varied amounts of organic chemicals, toxic metals, chemical irritants and pathogens. The effects of long-term buildup in soils, leaching into waterways and uptake into crops and the food system have not been well-studied.”
There is not enough scientific data to overturn the cons of spreading treated human waste since EPA regulations became effective in 1993. We encourage Bartholomew County residents to research the pros and cons of land application of biosolids and form their own opinion. We, as a collective group of farmers, do not want biosolids anywhere near our homes, private wells, land or waterways.
