"I observed several tampon applicators, sanitary pads, cigarette butts as well as paper on the ground. I could detect the strong smell of what appeared to me to be kitchen and human waste."
Hoppel told the deputy the sludge trucks would come in through the gate and open their valves just past it. They would then drive through the property until empty.
There are visible arcs of dried sludge around the property.
Williamson took several pictures of the waste. The locations of the dump appeared to be a few hundred feet from the stream.
David and Tracy Hoppel fear that it is the lime, dumped on the sludge, that is causing the respiratory problems, but she can't prove that.
"Where's our rights here?" David Hoppel asked. "We can't even go out in the yard and let our kids play. We're prisoners in our own house. What's it doing to our land value? We have no rights in this whole deal.
"It's wrong to me."
Dr. Peter Villanueva said rotavirus is common this time of year -- and he has seen a lot of it. However, rotavirus has a very short life, and he feels it is unlikely that the virus is related to the sludge. But if the sludge is not treated properly, it could be public health problem, he said.
"If it's not treated properly, that's a big concern," Villanueva said, "That needs to be investigated.
The commissioners are working on another draft of the ordinance, which will likely make the codes more strict and may ban the dumping of Class B sludge -- which is not treated as much as Class A or Class AA. Neads said he expects another draft early next week. After that, the public will have two opportunities for input. Those public hearings will be announced in future commission agendas.
You can reachShelly Benson at sbenson@sun-herald.com
By SHELLIE BENSON
Health Editor
BLO fecit 20011110
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