WASTEWATER PLANT. More than half of residents say biosolids should be burned; committee members, after months of study, prefer land application
By Sharon Michael, The Chronicle, 6/25/98
Survey results are in, and now the Centralia wastewater treatment plant citizens advisory committee has a big selling job ahead of it
More than half of the 531 utilities customers who indicated a preference said they favor incineration over land application as a means of disposing of biosolids from the city's proposed new sewer treatment plant
But the committee that has spent months studying wastewater processing alternatives favors land application of highly-treated biosolids
"We felt it was more a community value, and the right thing to do environmentally," said Ed Dix, group moderator, at Thursday night's committee meeting
"We understood there would be a public perception problem," he added
But if the committee could educate the naysayers, biosolids produced at the plant could be used locally to nourish city parks and local gardens rather than be hauled away by a contractor and disposed of at an approved site, committee members say
The committees job may not be as difficult as it first appears, because 64 percent of the respondents said cost would make a difference in their decision. Construction costs for plants using incineration are much higher, although operating and maintenance costs are less
"It tells me if we recommend land application, we have an educational task," said Councilor Tim Browning
Just more than 12 percent of Centralia Utilities customers responded to the survey, indicating a clear preference for a regional plant that is designed to fit into the neighborhood, includes noise and odor control, and has appropriate outdoor lighting
Extra features favored by more than half of survey respondents were salmon enhancement and wetlands development. A co-located community center and educational training center, along with trails, were extras favored by about one-third of the respondents
Many people made comments on the survey, and asked questions about the survey questions
"Where would the burning be done?" asked one respondent, referring to incineration of plant biosolids residues
"Land application??? What does this mean?" inquired another
Some qualified their answers
"Not sure - would need to understand which would be the least harmful to the environment," wrote another in answer to the question of land application versus incineration
"Yes, only if financially and environmentally appropriate," one customer wrote in indicating a preference for a regional plant
But some written comments were unequivocal
"Keep it functional and cheap - no pork," advised one respondent
"Cost of utilities is presently too high. I am opposed to any costs for a new treatment plant!" wrote another
There were also a number of "not-in-my-backyard" responses
"If a regional facility were being located in my back yard, most of these points would be a valid concern," wrote one survey participant. "But the big KAHUNA of concerns with sewage treatment facilities is omitted here, that being SMELL. No matter how you package it, light it, or if it saves an entire salmon species, if it's in my back yard, it better not stink. (If it does put it in Ron Brumbaugh's back yard.)"
Brumbaugh is a Centralia school director
The survey did not address odor because the committee considers odor control a basic requirement in plant design
Dix said the survey results confirmed that the committee is on the right track with the recommendations it plans to present to the city council
The next step for the group is to put together a formal presentation outlining its recommendations and get on the council agenda. Dix will request time at the July 14 council meeting, a regular meeting that is televised on CCTV