Dear CRD Chair, Board and staff,
In light of the emerging details about the criminal investigation and civil suits against Synagro, we’re very concerned about the lack of CRD follow up on an emerging public health and environmental issue that seems to clearly have relevance to the processing and disposal of our own biosolids.
A quick search suggests that along with the most recent allegations and criminal investigation, Synagro has been mired in controversy and accused of poor practices leading to impacts on environmental and public health for decades now. Here’s a quick look at some press coverage of the Synagro track record, both here in Canada and in the US:
https://www.vvdailypress.com/
– this is quite literally the “Erin Brockovich” town…
https://globalnews.ca/news/
– this is from Hamilton
https://www.wmar2news.com/
https://casetext.com/case/
https://mde.maryland.gov/
Synagro has even been sued by the EPA: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/
As residents and local businesses, we need to know that the CRD is living up to its obligation to both protect our public health and make good use of our tax dollars, and the lack of follow up re. the criminal and civil cases being brought against Synagro in Texas gives us great concern.
In light of the well-documented potential for the thousands of toxic chemicals found in biosolids – which include PFAS, PAHs, microplastics, dioxins, and pharmaceuticals – to cause serious and irreparable environmental and public health impactsBiosolid Free BC is calling for a total CRD moratorium on land application in the CRD/Hartland as well as in Cassidy/Nanaimo until we get some answers to some very basic questions re. the chemical composition of the biosolids being produced by Synagro here, and the associated threats to the environment and public health resulting from our current disposal strategy.
Additionally, we urge the CRD to immediately address whatever operational issues are impeding the use of CRD biosolids at Lafarge cement plant on the mainland, and to explore other short term waste-to-energy options at local cement plants here on Vancouver Island, as well as throughout BC and in neighbouring Provinces and regions.
Best regards,
Philippe Lucas PhD
Biosolid Free BC
100% behind you! Keep posting your concerns- are biosolids just not sexy enough to attract attention out in the community? People seems more worried about their garden clippings 🙁
My sister lives in Pittsboro, whose town water has been poisoned by forever chemicals. See https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/pfas-testing-forever-chemicals-pittsboro-north-carolina
I don’t want it to happen on Vancouver Island!