Found out today that neighbor beside Casa Del Shovelhead is having 'biosolids' spread on his fields about a block from the house.

Googled 'biosolids' and didn't like what I found.
Planning on getting my well water tested this month and setting a schedule to periodically test for contaminates.
Anything else I should be watching for?
Or am I just being paranoid?

 

If its treated properly it shouldnt be too big a deal

 

They do it all the time. They are supposed to be treated and won't have any more affect on ground water than spreading cow manure. It is law that it is plowed or disced into the soil here in TX though. had my neighbor in a fix with EPA a few years ago. They just dumped raw and it stunk like hell. They made him have it plowed under and no more problems.

 

Yep, same as in Michigan, tho I don't know if it is law that they plow it in, they just do it. A lot of the factory farms inject it after they liquify it too.

 

Some fertilize with chicken poop here and it stinks to high heaven. They don't even disk it in. Wife and I hate it.

 

Hey, it cant be a problem if the govt says its ok.....

 

Most the people I know spread Biosolids everyday....and that is just in their conversations

 

Not a big deal as long as it has been treated properly. The City up here makes a HUGE pile of compost using the biosolids from the sewage plant up here and the stuff is AWESOME in gardens an lawns.....

They can even keep the pile composting at -40*......

 

it breaks down too fast to impact regular depth (30ft down plus)piped well water.

usually they want to 'turn over' or disc it in for soil benefit. dry, no offensive odor. prime conditions for spreading here in new york state are when it is sunny, light breeze or before a rain- or family picnic time... it's law too, kind of be careful what you wish for...

only concern is if your land is directly downhill as runoff would have a sitting bacteria situation....

even a simple conversation can let the farmer know, sometimes they will even skip row the stuff closest to you to be a good neighbor. think partnership...

 

Back in my school boy days we spread biosolids on tank farm berms. The lush lawn turf keeps the soil erosion down.

MikeyB

 

He's a little downhill from me, the outside temps are in the 40s, winter is coming, and my well is >400 ft.

Looks like it's not too big of a concern at this time........ Thanks.

 

Your good. My best friend gets it spread on their fields every fall and sometimes in the spring. The hay comes up real good, usually gets two cuttings and sells the rest.

The well at their place is only about 75' down and its really good water. I usually bring 60 gallons home with me to brew with.

Nothing like a little humanure to sweeten the air!

 

If he is down hill don’t worry. If he is down hill and down wind throw a party.
It really is some of the best fertilizer that can be had. And if properly treated and the plant then will have move of a fresh earth smell than poop smell.