Local News

Hearing slated for July 17 on Morgan’s septage permit

Jul 03, 2013

Morgan & Sons Excavation and Septic Service’s proposal to apply liquid biosolids known as septage on property in Okanogan County near Bawlf Road is being considered by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).

A public meeting about the proposed project will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Okanogan Public Utility District office, 1331 Second Ave. N., in Okanogan. An informal question-and-answer period will be followed directly by a formal hearing when written and oral testimony will be accepted.

Morgan & Sons is seeking coverage under the state’s general permit for managing biosolids. Morgan proposes to treat the septage with lime and incorporate it into the soil at a rate that provides the optimum growth for the feed crop triticale.

Biosolids are a beneficial product of wastewater treatment and are made up primarily of organic material with some inert silt and sand. They contain essential plant nutrients and act as a slow-release fertilizer when applied to crop land.

A form of biosolids, septage is the material derived from septic tanks and portable toilets that is treated and used as a soil amendment. Regulations in Washington ensure that biosolids are managed safely.

Written and oral testimony may be made at the formal hearing and until July 24. Comments should be, addressed to Wendy Neet, Department of Ecology, 15 W. Yakima Ave., Suite 200, Yakima, WA 98902. A copy of the application is available by contacting Neet at 509-454-7872 or wendy.neet@ecy.wa.gov.

More information on biosolids and the state’s biosolids general permit is available online.