Gordon wants sewage sludge regulations tightened

Gordon Henderson last week had a wide ranging and useful discussion with the Environment Agency about the noxious smells that blighted the summer for many people in the Sittingbourne and Sheppey area.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were the procedures for registering exemptions for the storage and use of paper and sewage sludge and how the use of sludge is monitored and by whom.

Mr Henderson also learnt something about the way in which sewage sludge is processed and how its use is governed. He was also given details of exactly where in Sittingbourne and Sheppey sewage sludge was used (a detailed map of the locations can be found opposite).

Mr Henderson said: “It was a very useful meeting and I am much more aware of the processes involved in the use of paper and sewage sludge for agricultural purposes. I am satisfied that the Environment Agency and Swale Borough Council did as much as possible within the limits of the regulations with which they are governed.

“I was particularly keen to find out if sewage sludge was used round the Bredgar area, because local residents seemed convinced that it was. I have been assured by the Environment Agency that no sewage sludge was used in the area. When they carried out investigations following the complaints they discovered that the cause of the smells was either paper sludge or farm manure.

“One of my concerns was the confusion over who is responsible for monitoring the use of sludge for agricultural purposes. The Environment Agency was able to confirm that they investigate complaints relating to paper sludge and sewage sludge when the odour is coming from a stockpile, however, Swale Borough Council investigate complaints once sewage sludge has been spread on fields.

“Frankly I think such a split responsibility is a complete nonsense so one of the things that I will be pressing for the regulations to be changed so that the Environment Agency is given the statutory responsibility for dealing with both types of sludge usage. I also want to see the regulations changed to force manufacturers of paper sludge to minimise as much as possible the smell by composting the waste before its use.

“Those of us who are lucky enough to live in a rural or semi rural community must expect a certain degree of farm smells in the summer. It has always been that way and will continue to be that way. However, the smells we experienced this year were not the natural country smells we should expect. They were more pungent and more chemical in nature. The regulations have to be changed to ensure that the quality of life for those living around farms is not made intolerable.”