In a recent blog post, I talked about the need to exhibit professionalism in the wake of a controversy over a hauler fined for spreading more than the allowable amount septage on farmland in Wisconsin. I called for pumpers to hold their colleagues responsible to operate within the law and maintain high standards for waste disposal, and to stress their own environmental practices to counter criticism of the industry.
Mike Alft, president of the Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association, rose to the occasion this week, responding to a guest column in the Wisconsin State Journal that was critical and painted the industry with a broad brush. While not addressing the specific case of overspreading, Alft pointed out that pumpers are heavily regulated and professionally trained to spread waste on farm fields. He also argued that land application of septage is an environmentally sound practice.
You can read his response here:
In her guest column, Helen Sarakinos, the water policy program director for the River Alliance of Wisconsin, used the recent example of overspreading to call into question the practice of land application in general.
“The industry is comprised largely of smaller operators unaccustomed or unwilling to operate under permits and who, according to conservation professionals, are more apt to play ‘fast and loose’ with the minimal requirements they do have,’’ she wrote.
Pumping professionals need to fight these perceptions if they want to continue to spread septage in states that allow and monitor the practice.
