In a small Maine town, residents face the lingering effects of sewage sludge and wastewater contamination, raising concerns about soil and water safety.
Lori Valigra reports for Bangor Daily News.
In short:
- Soil Preparation Inc. processed and dispersed wastewater and biosolids across Maine, both of which contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other harmful substances.
- The company has ceased operations, but the town deals with potential soil and water contamination without significant state investigation.
- A lawsuit involving local residents and several companies, including Soil Preparation, focuses on damages from PFAS contamination.
Key quote:
“It was a smaller project in a smaller town and therefore was paid less attention. The entire community in central Maine lived with this problem for a decade.”
— Kenneth Fredette, lawyer and former Republican lawmaker.
Why this matters:
Repurposing sewage waste, once envisioned as a winning solution to the problems of waste management and fertilizer shortages has spawned a fast-growing public health crisis. The law of unintended consequences has manifested a major public health crisis as spreading biosolids further spreads forever chemicals.
