For Release: September 23, 1997

Contact: Russell Chateauneuf 277-6820

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The RI Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing Wednesday, September 24 on an application from Richmond Sand and Gravel of Richmond to distribute a blend of loam and Class A Biosolids - sludge - at their Stilson Road site. The proposed operation consists of blending soil with treated and stabilized sewage sludge and marketing the blended material as soil amendment to the public.

With DEM's recent adoption of new sludge utilization regulations, DEM has seen an increase in interest from communities and companies who want to use highly treated wastewater sludge for beneficial reuse projects.

Richmond Sand and Gravel's proposed project would consist of an initial DEM-monitored pilot project prior to full scale distribution. The company plans to mix treated biosolids from Wheelabrator Inc. of New Hampshire with common loam to create a loam product with substantially increased fertilizer values and a neutral pH. Richmond Sand and Gravel would have to meet DEM's requirements for storage, record keeping, and transportation.

According to Alicia Good, Assistant Director of Water Resources for DEM, the Department's new regulations, which went into effect in June, took advantage of federal research into the issue of biosolid treatment and use. "This allowed us to reduce our regulatory burden and help bolster the use of wastewater sludge.

"The new regulations," Good added, "will assist Jamestown, West Warwick and Bristol to market and distribute Class A biosolids generated at their sludge composting facilities. Much like household garden composting, composted sludge produces a rich, loam-like soil amendment for use in landscaping, gardening and public works projects."

Prior to the new regulations, such sludge was typically treated for disposal at landfills or incinerators.

Wednesday's hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in the Richmond Town Hall at 5 Town House Road in Wyoming. A public presentation by Richmond Sand and Gravel on the proposed project was held September 17 at Richmond Town Hall, with DEM staff on hand to answer questions about the Department's sludge regulations.