'Sewage sludge' rumors surrounding Ann Arbor compost privatization are untrue, officials say
WeCare Organics President Jeffrey LeBlanc says rumors that his company would accept and process "sewage sludge" at the Ann Arbor compost facility are "100 percent inaccurate."
The city of Ann Arbor is considering contracting with the New York-based company to operate the city's composting facility, and many rumors abound.
LeBlanc said WeCare only would be allowed to process yard waste and vegetative food waste materials allowed in the city's permit.
"The city's permit only allows these types of materials (brush/leaves/logs/food scraps) to be accepted," he said in an e-mail. "Sewage sludge (or biosolids) are not permitted for processing at the city's compost facility and will not be accepted by WeCare Organics."
Tom McMurtrie, the city's solid waste program manager, confirmed the sewage sludge rumors being spread are untrue.
"Biosolids (sewage sludge) are not part of the proposed contract with WeCare," he wrote in an e-mail this morning. "They are required in the proposed contract to adhere to the standards that are defined in the Ann Arbor solid waste regulations. In addition, the PUD with Pittsfield Township and state regulations do not allow composting biosolids at our facility."
Ann Arbor resident Patricia Lesko circulated an e-mail to several community members, including city officials, containing the sewage sludge rumor. In her e-mail, Lesko — who unsuccessfully ran for mayor earlier this year — raised concerns about "toxic sewage sludge" and cited a SourceWatch article about WeCare that company officials say is inaccurate.
In her e-mail, Lesko wrote: "I hope those ... on this list who head local organizations, such as the Huron River Watershed Council, Ecology Center and Project Grow, will investigate this further (quickly, alas) and, if like I do, you consider the addition of sewage sludge to our compost to be detrimental, perhaps even a potential environmental hazard due to run-off, or the storage of toxic sludge on site at the Pittsfield facility, will urge Mayor and Council to reject the recommendation of city staff that WeCare Organics be given a five year contract to produce compost for the City of Ann Arbor. Individuals, I hope, will call and email Council … to urge them to reject the staff's recommendation to outsource our composting program to WeCare."
Mayor John Hieftje said "nobody's ever said a word" about sewage sludge.
"I don't even know where they would get sewage sludge around here," he said. "I think it's kind of funny actually. We're talking about a company performing to the standard we would set."
The deal to privatize the city of Ann Arbor's compost operations was delayed Monday night by the City Council. The issue is postponed until the council's Dec. 6 meeting.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 7:06 p.m.
I asked the company president more directly today whether WeCare might take the compost materials collected at the Ann Arbor facility and mix them with biosolids somewhere offsite (as kind of a loophole around not doing it onsite). I asked: Could biosolids, in some offsite tangential way, become a part of this operation? LeBlanc says: "Biosolids are not part of this project in anyway from start to finish. I dont know what else more we can say to this. This is not a biosolids project today or in the future. We will not mix Ann Arbor compost with biosolids. Again, biosolids are not and will not be used with the Ann Arbor project."
lou glorie
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
@ Liberty for all, DNRE retiree: Only an uber-reductionist would conclude that lack of heavy industry would therefore mean our sewer sludge is pristine. I wish it did. The EPA's latest investigation (2009) raised concerns about the "other stuff". And there is quite a bit of that other stuff. As I mentioned before those medicines, body lotions, shampoos, cleansers, drain openers, solvents that we use in our homes and businesses are also there. While the EPA (and the DNRE) was sleeping on this, the US Geological Service did some studies on the uptake of these toxins by soybeans and earthworms. Toxins were found to be concentrated in the plants and earthworms. The EPA for too long a time was happy to just no longer have to deal with this stuff being dumped into the East River or any river. But, big surprise!, even if it is spread around it is going to end up somewhere often in concentrated form. Also, with sludge being sprayed on fields, it is actually running off into RIVERS. So we're back where we started, or should have started--how to we tame this industrial monster we've created, which is essentially poisoning our own habitat. As a friend of mine used to say, a smart dog doesn't sh*t in his own yard. What on Gods green earth does that make us?
libertyforall
Fri, Nov 19, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
As a retired DNRE agent, I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with composting biosolids with yard waste. Ypsi did it, Milwaukee does it now (Milorganite) and sells it. The City has very little industry, so the metals in the sludge are minimal. As long as the process is aerobic, odor is not a problem. It already goes on farmland now, composting would be an improvement. They also incinerate the sludge, which is not so good. You either incinerate, compost, apply to farms, or put it in the landfill.
lou glorie
Thu, Nov 18, 2010 : 1:41 a.m.
Whoa there, the issues with sludge lovin' ('scuze me, biosolids)WeCare goes beyond the possibility that this company and our city's water treatment plant may want to team up for some creative uses of our wretched refuse. How about questioning yet another privatization of a public service? Where are all the local biz boosters? Why would we outsource anything? If the city claims it cannot run this facility as inexpensively as a for-profit company, we need to send in a forensic accountant to have a look-see. Back to the issue of sludge. While it is perfectly natural for us to return our own waste back to nature, we need to also deal with all the products of industrial civilization we'd also be giving back. Our water treatment plant removes a whole lot more than poop. Also removed and included in sludge/biosolids are pharmaceuticals, detergents, heavy metals, pesticides, personal care products and chemicals of varying degrees of toxicity. So let's not jump right into a relationship with a company that specializes in "residuals" and "specialty soils" manufacturing and "mixed-waste" compost. The founder and CEO, Wes Gregory "founded WeCare Holdings, LLC, a 'Family of Companies,' in 1998 to provide products and services to the water, wastewater and solid waste industries." (my italics and from WeCares website) whatever the RFP says today, this is one to watch, because the company's business is primarily aimed at making wastewater and solid waste disappear. But dispersal and disappearance are two different things. The use of sludge in compost looks more like a cat-in-the-hat solution. But, I'd rather our community develop strategies for reducing (remember Reduce, Reuse then Recycle?) our wastes. We only seem to be on the road leading to more consumption, more waste and more quandaries about what to do with it all. In any case, let's not fill any more out-of-state pockets.
Patricia Lesko
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
Just to be clear: Ryan Stanton didn't to speak to me directly, and I certainly didn't share anything with him. He doesn't say where he got his "information," but he certainly didn't get it from me, or make sure that whatever he does have was actually sent by me. It was an Ann Arbor city staff member who mentioned the subject of bio solids when presenting to Council about the WeCare company RFP. He did it very casually, but raised the issue nonetheless. If John Hieftje wasn't listening, he should go back and watch the video of the meeting. So should Ryan Stanton before accepting what Hieftje says without question. Then, Stanton might ask the city staff member to comment directly about the bio solids remarks made in reference to WeCare Organics. The information on SourceWatch is provided by the Center for Media and Democracy (http://www.prwatch.org/). It's a reliable and respected watchdog group. This morning, I spoke with Michael Nicholson, Senior VP at WeCare to ask about the SourceWatch information (which I was able to corroborate), his company, their plans, and how they think they can turn a profit at a facility city staff tells us is hopelessly "unprofitable." I posted the answers Mr. Nicholson gave me to my blog, A2Politico: http://www.a2politico.com/?p=4953. At the moment, the compost facility does not have a state permit to process sewage sludge. The current permit expires in 2011, and the contract for outsourcing this work expires in 2015. WeCare, under the terms of the RFP, will be expected to re-permit the facility. However, Mr. Nicholson said very clearly to me that his company did not want to mix sludge with the compost produced at our facility. Then again, John Hieftje said very clearly to the Press this past July that CM Stephen Raundalo's Golf Task force existed to "turn Huron Hills Golf course around" financially. Now, Hieftje's behind outsourcing operations there. Priorities change, particularly when municipal services/facilities are viewed as "profit centers." Why are city staff are trying to sell Council and the public on the idea that the compost program (and a facility in which we have invested millions) need to be outsourced at all? "Unprofitable" service areas are targeted, outsourced or threatened: Mack Pool, Huron Hills Golf Course, Burns Park Senior Center, Allmendinger Park, etc... As much as I was impressed by Mr. Nicholson (and I was very impressed), I'm not buying what WeCare wants to sell. I don't believe taxpayers should pay a millage to compost materials from the region, or allow Mr. LeBlanc's company to turn a profit for himself and his investors (if any) using our facility. Unlike John Hieftje, I believe municipal services are what city government provide to taxpayers, and some of those programs and services are going to be "unprofitable." City government doesn't exist to turn a profit, in my view, but rather to be revenue neutral. Staff who badly manage facilities and programs, then try to outsource them, need to be told no and held accountable. Dumping unionized workers a few at a time to save a bit of money, is unwisely avoiding the more pressing financial need to increase the retirement age to 65 for most Ann Arbor city workers, end health care for future retirees, and the need to cut their benefit and pension packages across-the-board.
townie
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 10 p.m.
What happened to Ed Vielmetti's blog post on this?
Basic Bob
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 8:48 p.m.
"I don't even know where they would get sewage sludge around here". Try the City of Ann Arbor wastewater treatment plant. Since Ann Arbor sludge doesn't stink, what would be the problem with composting it?
a2grateful
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
How's this for a twist: "WeCare" is awarded the contract, dots all of the i's, then crosses all t's, as it processes our compost according to city contract, and applicable local and state regulations. Then it transports the compost to its mixing facility to do the sludge adding and mixing. No big deal? Maybe not... or, maybe so... Maybe so, if related to the compost is a name tied to WeCare ingredients: "Pure compost from the wonderful and amazing City of Ann Arbor." Now, maybe it's a licensing issue due to "City of Ann Arbor" ingredient listing... Then if someone becomes ill from sludge-laden Ann Arbor compost, and decides to sue (individually or class action), it becomes a potential liability issue. Licensing issue or not, the City will be a partner with WeCare, and potentially liable. All partners would likely be added to any lawsuit in a "Sue everyone related with deep pockets" scenario. Ask the mayor what he thinks about that, and he'll probably laugh, "WeDon'tCare."
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
Here's additional comment from WeCare's president: To answer your questions, I have tried to respond in order. If, I missed something please let me know; To be clear, WeCare could not seek a change in the permit to allow sewage sludge in the future. This is the Citys permit and only they could request a modification to their permit. WeCare is willing to have language in the contract that prohibits sewage sludge from being processed in Ann Arbor. Currently, WeCare operates other compost facilitys that process Yard Waste and Food Waste only. So, we do operate other compost facilitys besides our biosolids compost facilitys. The Ann Arbor compost distributed from the site will be similar to what has been produced in the past with improvements to product quality and market distribution. I hope this helps. Thanks Jeffrey J. LeBlanc President WeCare Organics, LLC
denise1inaa
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 2:54 p.m.
Alan you are right about the outsourcing... my first concern regarding this proposal was the evil "outsourcing" cry and the lipservice about how much money would be saved. I then thought about the locals who would lose their jobs and the loss of their buying power in the community. NOW I am also concerned that WeCareOrganics will give lipservice about "never" processing sludge with compost. A year or two after they are contracted we will hear that they did it anyway... but they will say oh sorry we shouldn't have done that... yeah right.
Joe Hood
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
@Long Time No See - The story frames Pat as the only person to raise this issue and make it overblown. The story next goes to the mayor, in a persnickety way of saying, "tsk, tsk, that Pat" to the whole idea of sludge in recycling. Reading the comments, there is a little more community concern over the sludge. Not that the city's contract makes any mention of the word "sludge." Personally, I don't know what's wrong with sludge but that may be my ignorance.
Speechless
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
While WeCareOrganics might well play by the local rules in Ann Arbor — however alien that may be to their business practices elsewhere — yet it's entirely fair, and also socially responsible, to thoroughly look into their past practices in an open and public manner. Let's investigate to make sure they're not essentially WeLaunderSludge behind the scenes. Regardless, the biggest sludge pile by far can be found in the upper floors at city hall, where the formal proposal was hatched to outsource operations at the municipal compost center. Rather than rely on blaming unionized staff, most of Ann Arbor's "problem" with losses on compost sales can be fixed by raising the pricing structure upward to levels found elsewhere in the region.
frozenhotchocolate
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
What's the big deal, sludge is what completes the circle of life, if you don't like it then don't eat any food, because at some level it is all made with it.
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
Be assured I am following up and have more questions in to WeCare. I also asked the president via e-mail if he'd be willing to agree to contract language that doesn't allow WeCare to combine the city's compost with sewage sludge now or ever. I'll let you know when I hear back.
Long Time No See
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
@Joe Hood - SourceWatch didn't claim that Ann Arbor would start adding sewage sludge to the city's compost processing. Pat Lesko did that. In any case, how is Pat Lesko "denigrated" by this article? It just stated the fact that she sent the email, and reported on the contents of the email. I saw the email, and the reporting in this article is accurate regarding the contents of the email. The level of panic here seems unjustified. If the city awards the contract to WeCare Organics, then the city just needs to ensure that the contract language doesn't allow them to combine the city's compost with sewage sludge. Problem (that never existed in the first place) solved?
Tim Darton
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
Your right Alan, the people of Ann Arbor must have lost trust in the mayor. That's why he only took 84% and 82% of the vote. They must have lost trust in the council members too, they only got 70%. This is a tempest in a tea pot stirred up by your candidate for mayor, who "won"... 15% of the vote.
libertyforall
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
The City already dumps sludge on farmland all over, were is your concern for runoff there? At least at the compost facility the runoff is controlled.
Kathy Griswold
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
It is not a rumor; it is a future possibility. We're talking about a company performing to the standard we would set." Please review the WeCare Organics website and todays DDA article, then consider a DDA-like authority making the hard decisions for our elected officials regarding a more profitable compost product a few years from now.
townie
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
http://www.wecareorganics.com/ My concern about sewage sludge did not come from Pat Lesko, but rather the fact that this New York company ONLY makes and sells compost or other soil products that contain biosolids, aka sewage sludge. This would appear to be their fundamental business model: get paid to haul sludge away, mix it with other organic matter, and resell it as compost, fertilizer and topsoil. There are plenty of wastewater plants in SE Michigan that produce sludge. If they are not allowed to bring sewage sludge to our facility, then will they be taking our compost elsewhere to mix with sludge to make their products or are they going to introduce a new sludge-free product made from pure Ann Arbor yard waste? More digging into the story, please.
Joe Hood
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
If the source of this issue is SourceWatch, why does this article denigrate the messenger as opposed to the source. Why is there no query to Center for Media and Democracy who publicizes SourceWatch for a rebuttal? The tilt here is more of a political hit piece and the election is over.