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Sludge on farmland d 'reasonable risk --expert Spreading sewage or paper sludge on farmland is a "reasonable risk" if all the of treated sewage sludge generated each year in Ontario and about 25 per cent ends up on [4 are 1y a, an expert with the provincial Agriculture Ministry said last week. Speaking at an "issues day" at the Cartwright Community Centre March 28, John Schleihauf told a group of farmers "the track record has been good. There should be no serious problems if the guidelines are followed. When there are problems they have been self-inflicted." But her stressed several times that the risk is only reasonable if the guidelines are followed strictly. There are just over 200 properties in Durham Region approved by the Ministry of the Environment for spreading of sewage and/or paper sludge. Placing sewage sludge on Ontario farmland has been common for nearly 20 years, but it's only been in the last couple of years that paper sludge has been used and Mr. Schleihauf experts will monitor farmland carefully over the next five to ten years to determine the impact on the land. Mr. Schleihauf, a soils manager with OMAF, said there are more than seven million cubic metres OMAF and the Environment Ministry worked to produce the regulations that govern the practise, he said, but it is the MOE that has the final approval when it issues a certificate for a particular piece of land. Sewage sludge that has been treated at municipal plants contains phosphorous and nitrogen. The regulations say it should be used only on lands with a PH of 6.0 or higher, and over a five year period the maximum levels should not exceed 135 kg nitrogen/hectare. It works best on soil with a low phosphorous bicarbonate levels. It should not be spread on fields growing tobacco or vegetables or on residential lawns. Paper sludge adds fibre back into the ground and Mr. Schleihauf said so far government officials are satisfied. When paper sludge is spread on fields, nitrogen is added to break down the carbons. He stressed that farmers are under no obligation for anybody to accept sewage and/or paper sludge on their lands. "This is strictly voluntary. Nobody is being forced," he Author to speak at DRFA annual dinner Durham Region Federation of Agriculture welcome Dan Needles to their Annual Banquet on Friday, April 8th at the Blackstock Recreation Centre. Mr. Needles, author of the "Wingfield Farm Trilogy" will provide some 'insight into some of the characters portrayed in the one-man plays. "From Wingfield Farm", started as a column written by Mr. Needles for a community newspaper in 1974. It was ten years later that "Letter from Wingfield Farm" was first performed by his friend, actor Rod Beattie. "Wingfield's Progress" and "Wingfield""s Folly" followed in 1987 and 1990. The DRFA are pleased to be included on Mr. Needles list of speaking engagements. Tickets for the evening are available by calling Karen at 905-986-0657. LAURENTIAN MUTUAL FUNDS RRSPs m GICs m RRIFs m ANNUITIES or Professional Advice Call JIM PARKES Me 571-1435 Imperial Life A MEMBER OF LAURENTIAN FINANCIAL Sth Anniversary PORT PERRY FARMERS' MARKET it takes a commitment! Pian your Vegetable Garden Now and Sell your Produce at the Farmers' Market! WANTED - Herbs, Vegetables, Plants, Crafts. We have the buyers - You commit the time and effort and you will be remunerated. MARKET OPENS SAT., JUNE 11th, 1994 at PORT PERRY from 8:00 AM fo 1:00 PM Call 10 reserve your space. (00s) 9BB-8044 roy Schleihauf also told the meeting that farmers who agree to accept sludge for their lands must be firm if a truck arrives at the farm and conditions that day are not right for spreading. "You have to turn them (trucks) away. Tell the driver 'this field is closed' today, put the tractor across the gate if necessary," he said. The regulations require that sewage treatment plants and paper plants have contingency plans in place for alternate disposal of the sludge if conditions for spreading on farmland are not suitable. Despite Mr. Schleifhauf's of *n ble risk," was not aware of this specific case, but said the guidelines must be followed closely to avoid Because there is a lot of interest in this topic among one man in the audience said that sludge resulted in the pollution of shallow wells when spread on fields around his farm Mr. Schleifhauf replied that he scheduled for April 8 at at the OMAF office in Port Perry. All are welcome to attend. Call 905- 985-2003 for further details on this meeting. » Attention All Farmers! to Cashway for a Special Evening JUST FOR YOU! THURSDAY, APRIL 7th -7PM p CASHWAY BUILDING CENTRE 1910 Scugog St., Port Perry, By Reservation Only. Limited Seating! Lots of Door Prizes! Free Refreshments! Something for all ages to see and do! (oos) 985-7334 Call today! Ask for Allison CASHWAY You can depend on us|'