Betty Cross’s March 16 guest column "Is sewage sludge safe on crops?" inaccurately portrays Cary’s wastewater treatment program. The "new dewatering device" discussed in the February 2 article "Waste Not, Want Not" is actually located in Fuquay Varina, not Cary. Cary's sludge treatment process differs from Fuquay Varina’s. Cary uses a high-temperature thermal dryer (not incineration) that also destroys pathogens and inorganic compounds.

The EPA establishes standards for the products of sludge treatment. The primary objective of the Sewage Sludge Action Network appears to be tighter control of applying low grade "Class B" liquid sludge on farmland. Cary has not used this form of sludge disposal since placing its dryer in service in 2005. Cary’s dryer allows us to achieve EPA’s highest rating of "Class A-Exceptional Quality", which has been found safe for a wide range of uses, including fertilizer for crops grown for human consumption. Our Class A pellets are carefully monitored for metals and toxic compounds in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Another important means of controlling the quality of our biosolids is our wastewater pretreatment program. Industrial and commercial flows are closely monitored by our pretreatment staff to ensure that metals and toxic chemicals stay out of the wastewater in the first place. This program is also closely regulated and monitored by state and federal agencies. Since Cary’s biosolids dryer was placed in service in 2005 we have been producing high quality pellets with rich fertilizer value that have proven to be a valuable market commodity. Cary’s wastewater management programs are just one example of our commitment to providing a high quality of life in the region by protecting public health and the environment.

Stephen J. Brown, P.E.
Town of Cary Public Works & Utilities Director