Biosolids: Regulation and Policy, Julie Nahrgang
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Biosolids: Regulation and Policy, Julie Nahrgang
- 1. Water Environment Association of Texas When Biosolids Hit the Fan of Public Perception TWCA October 13, 2016 Julie Nahrgang WEAT/TACWA
- 2. Water Environment Association of Texas The Reality of Biosolids Land Application Biosolids are the nutrient rich residuals when treated wastewater is separated from solids. It is a valuable, safe, highly regulated, and sought after resource that benefits farmers and the environment by building better soils and improving water retention.
- 3. Water Environment Association of Texas
- 4. Water Environment Association of Texas Public Perception of Biosolids Victoria, Texas โ September 27, 2016
- 5. Water Environment Association of Texas
- 6. Water Environment Association of Texas โข Donโt Sludge Bastrop โข Sludge = Toxic Waste โข โHazardous Toxic sewage sludgeโ โข Sludge = Poison โข โI know what my next move will be and I WILL bring as much media and legislation hurt as I can to the TCEQ on this.โ โข โMost of you are part of the problem. When will you be part of the solution? - Bob Crockett โข โI am very disappointed in how this is being handled and how the unsuspecting residents are being subjected to your Contractors sloppy handling of a product that is so controversial and disgusting.โ - CM โข โPut your sewage on Ellis County and I will make sure you and Ft Worth know where I am from.โ โ Bob Crockett Misconceptions , Conspiracy Theories, and Threats: An Examination of Language
- 7. Water Environment Association of Texas Confusing the Issues โข Victoria Permit โ Grit and Grease experimental use authorization blending grit and grease. WQ0004666000 โข Domestic Septage โ Administrative process to register, not a permitting process
- 8. Water Environment Association of Texas Cast of Characters Lord Harrington Residents Rebuff Royal Felonโs Feces By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com Jul 2, 2016
- 9. Water Environment Association of Texas Cast of Characters (continued) โข Bob Crockett โ A Native Texan โข Sam Bowie - Citizens trying to protect Citizens โข Dr Honour
- 10. Water Environment Association of Texas Uptick in Requests for Public Meetings and Hearings: The Summertime Sludge Panic of 2016
- 11. Water Environment Association of Texas The Summertime Sludge Panic of 2016 Withdrawn Permit Applications WQ0005197000 Denali Water Solutions LLC (Class B Land Application) Wallace Farm in Bastrop County Application withdrawn on 7/13/16 17 Hearing Requests 55 Public Meeting Requests 122 Protestants WQ0005199000 Denali Water Solutions LLC (Class B Land Application) Banks Ranch in Fayette County Application withdrawn on 6/17/16 88 Hearing Requests 11 Public Meeting Requests 68 Protestants WQ0005191000 Denali Water Solutions LLC (Class B Land Application) Fluharty Farms in Milam County Application withdrawn on 3/25/16 1 Hearing Request 3 Public Meeting Requests 16 Protestants
- 12. Water Environment Association of Texas The Summertime Sludge Panic of 2016 (continued) Current Protested Applications: WQ0004666000 Beneficial Land Management LLC (Class B Land Application) Arenosa Creek Ranch in Victoria County 7 Hearing Requests 3 Public Meeting Requests Public Meeting Held on 1/21/16 Contested Case Hearing (Preliminary) Scheduled 9/27/16 186 Protestants WQ0005189000 Sprint Waste Services (Sewage Sludge Dewatering Unit) West Bellfort Processing Facility in Fort Bend County 148 Hearing Requests 97 Public Meeting Requests 296 Protestants
- 13. Water Environment Association of Texas Current Protested Applications: WQ0005190000 Synagro of Texas-CDR, Inc. (Class B Land Application) J1 Ranch in Henderson County 1 Hearing Request 1 Public Meeting Request 1 Protestant 711018 Reitz Environmental Services LLC (Domestic Septage Land Application) Johnson County Public Meeting Held 7/19/16 36 Protestants 711020 Harrington Environmental Services LLC (Domestic Septage Land Application) Johnson County Public Meeting Held 6/30/16 78 Protestants The Summertime Sludge Panic of 2016 (continued)
- 14. Water Environment Association of Texas Previous Legislative Action 84th Legislative Session BILLS DID NOT PASS OUT OF HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL REGS COMMITTEE HB 2248 Relating to the land application of sewage sludge in certain counties. Wray, John HB 2460 seeks to give counties in the North Texas area the ability to regulate land application of biosolids. Wray, John
- 15. Water Environment Association of Texas 83rd Legislative Session HB 3255 Relating to the sale of soil products by a political subdivision. Kacal, HB 2996: Relating to the regulation by the TCEQ of the land application of Class B sludge. King, Tracy HB 2997: Relating to the regulation by the TCEQ of the land application of Class B sludge. King, Tracy Previous Legislative Action (continued)
- 16. Water Environment Association of Texas Improving Public Perception/Developing Public Trust: What Can We Do? (WERF Steps) โข Cultural shift โ takes time โข Education needed โ resource, not waste โข Engage the Media โข Hard work to build trust โข Honesty and openness, a must โข Start early โข Listen to stakeholders โข Continue to work on communications and relationships
- 17. Water Environment Association of Texas Improving Public Perception/Developing Public Trust: What Can We Do? (WERF Steps) โข Pay attention to risk communication โข Emphasize benefits โข Build trust with fairness and high quality of information โข Adopt inclusive decision-making processes โข Build long-term relationships โข Commitment for public outreach, dialogue and participation
- 18. Water Environment Association of Texas Messaging to Build Trust Who carries the message? โข Scientists and Researchers โข Farmers and Agricultural groups โข Local Community groups โข Utilities โข Federal and state regulatory agencies
- 19. Water Environment Association of Texas Other Resources Northwest Biosolids - Biosolids: Understanding the Risk Whatโs the Risk? Putting the Risk of Biosolids into Perspective - Study done by Loop, King County, University of Washington, and Kenndy/Jenks
- 20. Water Environment Association of Texas
- 21. Water Environment Association of Texas
- 22. Water Environment Association of Texas Questions or Comments Julie Nahrgang Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies (TACWA) 512.693.0060 julie@weat.org
Hinweis der Redaktion
- Good morning everyone. Iโm excited to talk to you all a little bit about biosolids. And believe me, this story has it all. A colorful cast of characters, mystery, deception, death threats, and the Texas legislature.
- Biosolids are appealing to farmers and ranchers and can offer some benefits over commercially available fertilizers. They are nutrient rich. They contain organic matter important for improving or maintaining good soil structure. They are very tested and extensively studied throughout the years โ and, as we know, they have to go somewhere. In short, biosolids land application treats and changes a waste product into a valuable resource. The practice is progressive, promotes good environmental stewardship, and is in line with the trend towards resource recovery.
- This is how some of the public perceives biosolids. It represents a recent wave of the anti biosolids movement that has been stirring for about 2-3 years.
- And here are a few more images taken from some anti land application sites and a FB page. This homegrown opposition in separate parts of the state are coordinating efforts. You can see this in cut and paste language in the comments portion of some of anti-biosolids webpages. Iโd also like to note that the TCEQ has received a number of calls for Public Hearings, which donโt exist. There are public meetings and contested case hearings, yet a large number of those calling in are requesting something that doesnโt exist. This leads us to believe the same talking points are being distributed to these different groups across the state.
- The language used to describe biosolids is steeped with misunderstanding and leans heavily on the yuck factor, not on science. Words like toxic and hazardous are used as modifiers to describe biosolids. Some communities are calling biosolids poison and pathogen filled and strong NIMBY movements are coalescing around this issue throughout Texas. Two to three years ago some of the loudest voices were also those that were so far beyond the pale, many doubted they would be taken seriously. But, through concerted effort and organizing other neighbors, some in Waxahachie in Ellis County were able to make a case that a Freshman lawmaker, Rep Wray thought was worth sponsoring bills to limit land application. This small but vocal group was also successful in petitioning for rulewriting. So, despite the size of the anti movement, they have proven the ability to create change and convince lawmakers to sponsor legislation that is regressive and flies in the face of resource recovery. Distrust is fueled by odors
- The permit holder was taking sludge from Inez and mixing grit and grease on the backend without further treatment and both land applying and selling it to composters. It would seem that part of the public perception issue is the confusing or conflation of a problematic permit as well as land application of domestic septage with land applied Class A, AB, and B biosolids. Thereโs no contested case hearing for a permit. So arguably, the practice to go through an administrative process to register land for domestic septage provides for less public recourse.
- Lord Harrington is notoriously eccentric and lives in a castle-like house outside of Cleburne and apparently believes himself to be an English lord. Heโs also co-owner of Harrington Environmental Services, which hauls and land applies domestic septage.
- These names, and many others, are pen names used by the same person in the Ellis County area. It seems he fashions himself as a Texas freedom fighter. Itโs safe to say this issue for him is very personal and emotional.
- With the backdrop of mounting public opposition and coordination between a number of North Texas, Central Texas, and Coastal area groups, 3 permit requests had already been withdrawn by mid July. Just for comparison, only two permit applications were withdrawn from 2013-2015. 2016 also gave us what seems to be unprecedented interest in biosolids by elected officials, which leads us to believe there will be proposed anit-biosolids legislation.
- Victoria Co: Representative Geanie Morrison โ Provided both a written comment against land application of grit/grease and requested a public meeting. She also provided oral comments at the public meeting and testified against the permit at a Commisionersโ agenda meeting. ย Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst โ Provided a letter against land application of grit/grease, and letter read as oral comment at the public meeting by Ross Giesinger, on behalf of Senator Kolkhorst. ย Representative Allan B. Ritter โ Provided a written comment against land application of grit/grease. ย Representative Andrew S. Murr โ Provided a written comment in support of City of La Coste and PDIโs operation. ย Judge Ben Zeller, Victoria County Judge โ Provided oral comments at the public meeting, regarding history of past legislative actions related to land application of grit/grease.
- would force utilities to landfill a valuable, safe, highly regulated, and sought-after resource and treat it as a waste; would put biosolids regulating authority in a body without the experience and background to do so; would create a patchwork of local regulations on an issue already highly regulated and recently addressed by the TCEQ; would deny farmers the use of an important resource for improving moisture retention in soils, which is increasing important during periods of prolonged drought; would force utilities to abandon project upgrades designed to meet the revised requirements for Class A biosolids as adopted by the TCEQ in sept 2014; and would increase the cost to a number of utilities at the ratepayersโ expense.
- This bill sought to limit the sale of Class A products like Dillo dirt to areas outside of the municipality, county, or subdivision โ essentially a prohibition on the sale of Class A biosolids HB 3255 was introduced but never had a committee hearing HB's 2996 and 2997 relating to regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the land application of Class B sludge, would change the regulatory requirement for a permit to a registration for land application of Class B biosolids. The bills are identical except that HB 2996 inlcudes biosolids processed with grease trap and grit waste in the definition of Class B sludge.
- These bullets are a compilation of WERFโs steps to developing There are a few issues at hand here, thereโs a public trust issue and a public perception versus reality issue. City of Austin made great inroads in gaining the publics trust of Dillo dirt through ongoing efforts to educate the media on the topic, educate parks and recreation department, work with stakeholders, listen to concerns, providing useful information, and continued monitoring of public perception and public relationships. public trust.
- So, now that weโve looked at how to build trust, we need to think about what trusted sources can help carry the message. This information is pulled from an ongoing effort by WEF to develop a biosolids messaging plan. It is still in its early stages, but when competed and rolled out should provide some valuable information on how best to message the benefits of biosolids.
- Risk assessment where risk is a function of toxicity and exposure The Northwest Biosolids brochure is a short, two-page flyer graphically showing risk level via exposure to biosolids. The King Co and Loop study looked at Risk Assessment and the Northwest Biosolids study sought to communicate risk assessment in terms of exposure. The Loop study dove a bit deeper into Class A and Class B exposure scenarios in the context of an adult gardner, child at play, industry worker, and adult hiker Toxicity โ degree to which a substance can damage an organism ๏ Exposure โ duration and manner in which the organism is in contact with the substance ๏ Risk โ function of toxicity and exposure