Find new use for sludge
Kern County sits atop some of the finest agricultural land in the world. We should protect our land resources to ensure future access to clean water and healthy agriculture.
But Los Angeles County dumps its sludge on Kern County. Just as Kern County handles its own waste, Los Angeles County should be made to dispose of sewage sludge in Los Angeles County.
While sewage has been used for fertilizer for centuries, the material is dangerous. Recent studies have shown sewage sludge contains such toxins as urine, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and household cleaners. The dangers are too great to continue dumping sludge on agricultural land.
The solution is not to dump the waste, but to find another use for it. A great alternative is to treat the waste and use it for building materials.
According to the United Sludge-Free Alliance, sewage sludge can be cooked to lock in the heavy metals and chemicals. This will prevent the chemicals from leaking into the ground. Los Angeles could then sell this cooked sludge to construction companies for building projects. While Los Angeles may not be able to dispose of all this treated sludge locally, the remaining stock could be sold to businesses outside Los Angeles and outside California.
If rapidly growing Los Angeles were to adopt this idea, it would truly make it a green city. Los Angeles could become a role model to other communities in California and around the world.
BIANCA HARMER
Bakersfield
