A decades-long practice of spreading septic waste on farm fields in Stafford, which drew criticism from a local environmentalist earlier this year, will continue for at least another year with the approval Monday of a permit by the town board.
A.D. Call applied for a renewal of the permit for spreading of septic waste -- human waste -- on two fields north and south of Route 5.
In April, Attica resident John Volpe raised the issue with the Town of Stafford Board, claiming that the Calls were bringing in waste from surrounding communities and dumping amounts in excess of the permit's permitted limits.
Gerald Call said his farm has stayed within limits set by the town – 25,000 gallons per acre per year.
Only one resident raised any objections at Monday's meetings.
She raised concerns that the state Department of Environmental Conservation doesn't have the manpower to monitor the spreading of human waste and that if the Town of Stafford permits it, it becomes the responsibility of the town to inspect the practice. Supervisor Robert Clement said he's spoke with the DEC and the agency has been clear with him that it's not the town's responsibility.
"Like I said, I have timely, up-to-date e-mails from the DEC and I would be happy to share them with you," Clement said.
This has to be the most
This has to be the most disturbing thing I have ever read. I am glad I am not a resident of Stafford.
25,000 gallons per acre per
25,000 gallons per acre per year sounds like quite a bit to me, sure glad I don't live around there!
The statement that septic waste is "human waste" is quite misleading. The contents of a septic tank contains everything that was dumped down the drains connected to the septic tank, not just the toilet.
Is DEC monitoring these fields for hazardous chemicals? I can think of many things that get dumped down drains I wouldn't want in the soil, how about drain cleaner for a start?
"The statement that septic
"The statement that septic waste is "human waste" is quite misleading. The contents of a septic tank contains everything that was dumped down the drains connected to the septic tank, not just the toilet."
Not misleading at all Ed. Anything that dumps into a septic tank, would be considered human waste, i.e. anything dumped down a sink drain, or toilet.
That may be your
That may be your interpretation of the term Richard but in the real world it's interpreted as a byproduct of human consumption.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_waste
Excuse me, I mistakenly
Excuse me, I mistakenly targeted "Richard" in the above comment when I should have targeted "Raymond". I'm too cheap to pay for editing privileges.