Q & A re N Y Sludge


On October 7, 1997, I (Ben Oostdam) E-mailed the following questions to Sally Rowland
whose name I obtained courtesy Ellen Harrison of Cornell.
Her replies by E-mail on October 28 follow below, and her cooperation is acknowledged and appreciated!


Question 1: How much sewage does NYC generate per year?

....Answer 1: ...About 116,000 drytons per year

Question 2: How much of it is disposed of in N.Y itself?

....Answer 2: ...None. Most is currently heat dried in NYC but
..........the pellets are shipped out of state for use as a fertilizer

Question 3: How much is exported and whereto?

....Answer 3: ...All exported. Some to a landfill in VA,
..........some to land application in Texas, pellets to multiple states
..........(OH, FL, etc.) for use in fertilizer blends

Question 4: Is the USEPA involved in any licensing or supervision?

....Answer 4:....Yes, USEPA Part 503 regs apply to these materials.

Question 5: What is the average composition of the sludge, incl. "toxics"?

....Answer 5: ...There are 14 POTWs in NYC and the quality
..........from each is different. Please contact Mike Quinn
..........of the NYC DEP for more info at 718-595-5043

Question 6: Who determines how much can be applied where and how?

....Answer 6: ...Both EPA and the individual states,
..........both have jurisdiction

first version: November 2, 1997; reorganized: January 18 / February 27, 1999; BLO
file name : https://members.tripod.com/PA_Sludge/html/NY_sludge.html;