8/25/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOOK 90 F-M'A.30 AUG 2' 5 1993 The County issued the Notice to Proceed an -the project in February 1992, and the project is now complete. The sludge/septage plant will officially begin accepting sludge/septage from commercial haulers on August 1, 1993. The County has historically experienced illegal dumping of sludge/septage as evidenced by the attached articles. The Department believes that improper sludge/septage disposal by land spreading and other such methods is a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents of the unincorporated areas. The Department recognizes that the City of Vero Beach (City) is currently land applying its sludge. The City advised when it backed out of participation in the County plant, and in subsequent meetings with the County, that it proposes to build its own sludge treatment facilities. The Department recognizes that this ordinance would propose a problem with the City unless an interim agreement is negotiated, but the Department, with the completion of the sludge/septage facilities and its commitments under the revenue requirements for the bond issue, cannot delay passage of the Sludge and Septage Ordinance. The County has received the City's response to the proposed ordinance (copy attached). The Department believes the County facilities are adequate for disposal on an interim basis for the City and does not recommend an extension of time (license agreement). BT�BT?�4�I: The staff of the Department of Utility Services recommends the Boar. of County Commissioners approval of the proposed Sludge and Septage Ordinance, which prohibits treatment and disposal of sludge and septage anywhere in the unincorporated areas of Indian River County except through facilities of Indian River County, a and authorize date for the required public Hearing. Utility Services Director Terry Pinto reported that a State law was enacted several years ago prohibiting sludge and septage dumping at landfills. Funding was made available to assist with construction of a septage and sludge treatment facility and the City was to be included in the area served. A cost -benefit analysis revealed that the County should build one regional facility rather than several small ones, and the County applied for grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER). In order for the grants to be approved, the County was required to enter into a contract with the City. The City decided to build its own sludge treatment system, notified the County of its intent in a meeting held in December 1989, and a contract between the County and City was negotiated to provide for the County to accept septage but not N - M