FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2002
YAKIMA - A Bellingham company has been fined $28,000 by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) for significantly over-applying municipal sewage sludge on land in the Horse Heaven Hills of Benton County and for other permit violations.
Sumas Transport, Inc., hauls and land-applies sewage sludge, known as biosolids, from wastewater treatment plants throughout the state.
Last November, the company was found to be applying biosolids to fields at a rate nearly two times greater than allowed. In February of this year, a large volume of biosolids was found in seasonal stream gullies as far as a half mile from the intended application site.
The company had been contracted to remove 11,000 dry tons of sewage sludge from two Kennewick wastewater-treatment lagoons that were being cleaned out and repaired.
The company also was fined for applying biosolids last November before its application proposal could be reviewed by Ecology, as required under permit to ensure that people's health and the environment are protected. In February, the company applied biosolids without submitting a proposal for how it would apply the sewage sludge.
Sumas also was cited for failing to till biosolids into the soil as required by the state biosolids rule. In addition, the land was not posted to restrict public access.
"These violations are particularly egregious," said Daniel Thompson, a biosolids and organics specialist with the agency. "When properly handled, biosolids are a valuable resource that provide nutrients for plant growth and improve soils while protecting public safety and the environment.
Unfortunately, proper handling and care were not taken in this instance."
Sumas has 15 days to apply to Ecology for relief from the penalty or 30 days to appeal the penalty to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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