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#1 18-April-2012 5:04 pm
- doctorekb
- Member
- Registered: 18-April-2009
- Posts: 33
Sewer Sludge
Ok - if anyone has research or valid info regarding why not to use sewer sludge in compost please let me know.
My municipality provides free leaf compost which is great, but is now considering adding sewer sludge - explanation was that after a certain time and when treated (for how long and with what I have no idea) it is not harmful but beneficial.
Looking for great resources, not opinions, because I have those 
Thanks!
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#2 19-April-2012 10:32 am
- ljwalker
- Administrator
- From: Armstrong Co., PA
- Registered: 21-April-2006
- Posts: 496
Re: Sewer Sludge
I think the problem with sewer sludge is heavy metals?
Are they talking of adding it to the leaves and composting it together, or in addition, as another option to the leaf compost?
I'm curious too!
Linda
-organic before organic was cool-
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#3 19-April-2012 7:16 pm
- wldrnss
- Member
- Registered: 16-April-2006
- Posts: 625
Re: Sewer Sludge
I am sure you googled sewer sludge as fertilizer. Many articles support Linda's supposition that sewage sludge contains heavy metals and that is not good. Milorganite's website says it is perfectly ok and although it contains heavy metals, plants need heavy metals.
Think about the sewage that your municipality treats. Are there manufacturing plants being treated? Are they treating fracking water?
Look at what they may be treating and you will have a good idea what may be in the sludge. I have been very tempted to use it on my flowers. So far I am sticking with compost.
Milorganite.... http://www.milorganite.com/en/Using-Milorganite.aspx
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/10/s … izer-safe/
Last edited by wldrnss (19-April-2012 7:16 pm)
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#4 23-April-2012 10:38 am
- joy
- Moderator
- From: Squirrel Hill
- Registered: 21-June-2006
- Posts: 1137
Re: Sewer Sludge
I would never use sewage sludge. Think of all the stuff people pour down their drains, some of it breaks down into harmless chemicals (some drain cleaners break down into salt, water, and CO2), but a lot of stuff is very noxious - latex paint, hair dyes and permanent chemicals, medicines, and used motor oil are commonly poured down the drain, and I wouldn't want any of them in my garden. I wouldn't use them even for my flower garden.
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#5 26-April-2012 7:14 am
- ljwalker
- Administrator
- From: Armstrong Co., PA
- Registered: 21-April-2006
- Posts: 496
Re: Sewer Sludge
A couple of years ago, I bought 2 bags of no name compost. I used the one bag to fill some containers, but noticed it was really grainy, gritty, and a good many rocks. I ended up mixing it with some potting mix and my own compost. I made a mental note to never again waste money on bagged compost.
A couple of years back, when the 'White House garden' was all over the news, there was a report about how they had some problems because that place in the lawn had been treated with sludge back in the 1980's or 90's.
I found this article helpful, for some history of sludge--http://www.prwatch.org/node/8982
Linda
-organic before organic was cool-
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#6 28-April-2012 6:21 am
- wldrnss
- Member
- Registered: 16-April-2006
- Posts: 625
Re: Sewer Sludge
Thanks for that article Linda....I just don't see how you get around the heavy metals in the sludge.
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#7 16-June-2012 9:26 pm
- eapoosmama
- Member
- From: Pittsburgh
- Registered: 30-July-2006
- Posts: 200
- Website
Re: Sewer Sludge
heavy metals, chemical going down drain and big pharma, all reasons I would never use it anywhere near my home.
Mary Beth,
mama to three, soulmate to one heavenly dh. creating cloth alternative items since 2002!
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