Sludge permit may be sought

By Justin Faulconer
Published: September 17, 2008

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Amherst County could soon see its first application for the spread of biosolids -- treated human waste used as a form of fertilizer that has drawn public criticism.

County officials received a letter dated from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which now oversees the regulations of the material. It stated that DEQ has received an application from Synagro.

“The applicant proposes to manage the land application of biosolids to farmland in your county without a discharge to surface waters,” the letter said.

State law requires that DEQ notify localities when permits are sought.

County Administrator Rodney Taylor said Monday that he has not yet received a copy of the application but understands from a voice message from a DEQ official that the applicant is Wesley Wright. Wright previously applied for a permit for a parcel off of Virginia 151 when the Virginia Department of Health handled applications, Taylor said in an e-mail.

Wright and Fred DiLella, a DEQ water compliance and assessment manager who sent the letter, were not available for comment.

County officials have adopted a biosolids ordinance, which Taylor said gives the “maximum” protection for county citizens afforded by the state. Recently, county supervisors also enacted regulations for the storage of biosolids.

David Orvos, a professor of environmental science at Sweet Briar College, serves as biosolids monitor for the county.

DEQ’s review process is expected to take six months, Taylor said, with the possibility that a future public hearing would be held. DEQ would solicit public comment, he said, before any final decision is made.