Monday, August 23, 2004
Senator calls for end to Kern County dumping
Waste Dumping Prompts Worries over Ground Water Safety
Posted: Friday August 20th, 2004, 6:38 PM
Last Updated: Friday August 20th, 2004, 6:38 PM
Click here for Streaming Video on Demand -- http://kbak.bakersfield.com/local/story/4886916p-4940459c.html
Tons of waste are disposed on remote Kern County fields, supporters say it's good recycling -- critics worry about ground-water contamination. Kern County rules allow the use of only the most highly-treated waste, but the concerns continue.
"Why take a chance?" says Kern Water Agency Board Director Gene Lundquist. He tells 29 Eyewitness News the agency supports waste disposal only on the west side of the county, since there are no underground water supplies there.
State Senator Dean Florez has scheduled a September hearing on waste dumping, he's worried about so much being brought from places like Los Angeles County.
"Without us, the L.A. basin has very few alternatives," Honeybucket Farms General Manager Ben Lapadula tells 29 Eyewitness News. His company farms 2,000 acres west of Delano, spreading some 50-thousand tons a year of "bio-solids."
That's treated material from sewer treatment plants, and much of it does come from L.A. Lapadula says the bio-solids improve marginal soil so crops like cattle feed can be grown.
Lapadula says the bio-solids are treated to remove pathogens, and the material is monitored for pollutants and metals. The farm also tests the bio-solids and the soil. Lapadula says the practice improves farm land without using other fertilizers.
Lapadula says spreading bio-solids is the best way to dispose of them. He says the material can't be dumped in the oceans. Putting it in land-fills only concentrates the material, and burning bio-solids would contaminate the air.
But, Senator Florez wants to require review of air and water quality impacts from waste materials brought in from other counties. He's worried about a recent incident where "green waste" was brought up from Los Angeles. Trash was mixed in with the grass and branches, and Florez says that could contain contaminants that could seep down into ground-water supplies.
Florez has scheduled a hearing September 23rd in Delano. "It will be an investigative hearing," Florez tells 29 Eyewitness. "The focus will be bringing in the waste haulers and asking them tough questions."
Florez intends to introduce legislation that would lower the level of trash allowed in "green waste," and require review of air and water quality impacts from debris brought in from other counties.
The water agency's Lundquist says every precaution should be taken to protect local groundwater from contamination. "It may show up next year in the groundwater, or maybe 50 years."
Lapadula insists the bio-solids his farm uses are safe for groundwater. He says groundwater there is very deep, and he doesn't put enough water on his acres to allow the bio-solids to seep down.
Lapadula also invites anyone to ask him questions about bio-solid spreading, or to come to see the operation. He says use of the waste is safe. "Especially with the oversight I get from all the governing bodies that have control, there's virtually no way it would contaminate it."
Posted: Friday August 20th, 2004, 6:38 PM
Last Updated: Friday August 20th, 2004, 6:38 PM
Click here for Streaming Video on Demand -- http://kbak.bakersfield.com/local/story/4886916p-4940459c.html
Tons of waste are disposed on remote Kern County fields, supporters say it's good recycling -- critics worry about ground-water contamination. Kern County rules allow the use of only the most highly-treated waste, but the concerns continue.
"Why take a chance?" says Kern Water Agency Board Director Gene Lundquist. He tells 29 Eyewitness News the agency supports waste disposal only on the west side of the county, since there are no underground water supplies there.
State Senator Dean Florez has scheduled a September hearing on waste dumping, he's worried about so much being brought from places like Los Angeles County.
"Without us, the L.A. basin has very few alternatives," Honeybucket Farms General Manager Ben Lapadula tells 29 Eyewitness News. His company farms 2,000 acres west of Delano, spreading some 50-thousand tons a year of "bio-solids."
That's treated material from sewer treatment plants, and much of it does come from L.A. Lapadula says the bio-solids improve marginal soil so crops like cattle feed can be grown.
Lapadula says the bio-solids are treated to remove pathogens, and the material is monitored for pollutants and metals. The farm also tests the bio-solids and the soil. Lapadula says the practice improves farm land without using other fertilizers.
Lapadula says spreading bio-solids is the best way to dispose of them. He says the material can't be dumped in the oceans. Putting it in land-fills only concentrates the material, and burning bio-solids would contaminate the air.
But, Senator Florez wants to require review of air and water quality impacts from waste materials brought in from other counties. He's worried about a recent incident where "green waste" was brought up from Los Angeles. Trash was mixed in with the grass and branches, and Florez says that could contain contaminants that could seep down into ground-water supplies.
Florez has scheduled a hearing September 23rd in Delano. "It will be an investigative hearing," Florez tells 29 Eyewitness. "The focus will be bringing in the waste haulers and asking them tough questions."
Florez intends to introduce legislation that would lower the level of trash allowed in "green waste," and require review of air and water quality impacts from debris brought in from other counties.
The water agency's Lundquist says every precaution should be taken to protect local groundwater from contamination. "It may show up next year in the groundwater, or maybe 50 years."
Lapadula insists the bio-solids his farm uses are safe for groundwater. He says groundwater there is very deep, and he doesn't put enough water on his acres to allow the bio-solids to seep down.
Lapadula also invites anyone to ask him questions about bio-solid spreading, or to come to see the operation. He says use of the waste is safe. "Especially with the oversight I get from all the governing bodies that have control, there's virtually no way it would contaminate it."
# posted by Senator Dean Florez @ 4:08 PM 
