Spring 1997 - Issue Number 39

Ecological News in Grand Traverse County

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY EXPLORING SEPTAGE DISPOSAL ISSUE
By Mac McClelland
Deputy Administrator Grand Traverse County

Sometimes problems create opportunities. The disposal of septage and holding tank waste in becoming an increasing problem. The County Board of Public Works (BPW) has been exploring ways to deal with this important waste issue and is looking at a unique system to treat septage with a solar aquatic greenhouse.

This system utilizes natural process of fixed and floating bacteria and nutrient uptake in a hydroponic greenhouse to break waste down to essential elements and water. The process is tertiary treatment and produces an effluent meeting drinking water standards.

Conventional disposal has been for haulers to spread the sludge on agricultural land. However, more stringent regulations to land apply septage and holding tank waste, coupled with the decreasing availability of agricultural property with appropriate isolation distances to newly developed homes, is creating a crisis for homeowners in rural areas to adequately handle their wastewater.

The solar aquatic greenhouse is a pleasant place full of large tanks filled with abundant plant life. Haulers deliver septage to the facility and, after being mixed in an equalization tank, the effluent is piped into a series of tanks which provide the home for the microorganisms and plant to convert the waste to nutrients. A group of County representatives and a MDNR official visited similar facilities in Massachusetts and were impressed with the simple technology and appropriate scale.

A committee of the BPW has been established and is meeting monthly to explore methods to finance the facility and seek to resolve any unanswered questions.

If you have question or would like more information on the Solar Aquatic greenhouse, please contact Mac McClelland at (616) 922-4694.

RECYCLING IN THE GRAND TRAVERSE AREA
There's a quick and easy way to find out what materials are accepted for recycling and where to take them, thanks to Randy Smith G.T. County Solid Waste Coordinator. You need an NPI phone book; turn to page T-11 in the Talking Phone Line section. There you will find a list of materials and drop off sites. You can call and use the number coding system to find out about specific materials and drop off locations and hours. (There is one new addition to the drop-off locations: Elmwood Fire Station, code #3144). There is also a handy map on page 360 which shows the locations of all the drop off sites. (Three of these sites have since closed at these locations: Prevos in Bellaire, Glen's Market in Mancelona and GTP Industries in G.T. County; one addition, the Record Eagle accepts newspaper at its printing facility on Garfield, just past Hammond Rd.)

For more information on recycling, call Randy Smith at 922-4576.

Return to the Index of Synapse 39, Spring 1997