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Commissioner Adams questioned the difference between sludge and septage, and <br />Director Olson answered that septage is non -treated sludge. <br />Commissioner Macht then questioned whether the sludge actually reduces in volume, <br />and Director Olson stated that everything decomposes but the sludge creates liquid leachate <br />and methane gas and does not shrink volumetrically. <br />Debbie Perez, Landfill Site Manager for Waste Management, commented that sludge <br />is harmful. in 2 areas, environmental and operational. It increases gas production and the <br />County does not have a gas collection system. It also increases odors and leachate <br />generation and contains hazardous chemicals. Operationally it is a mess even when it is not <br />raining. It is a difficult to handle waste and the County does not have enough solid waste <br />to mix with the sludge to increase its volume. <br />Commissioner Adams questioned what Ms. Perez has been hearing from other <br />Landfills, and Ms. Perez was aware that Okeechobee and Jacksonville will take out -of - <br />county sludge which they then take to their Landfills. <br />Director Olson also noted that Palm Beach County will take out -of -county sludge. <br />They have a compost system and a plan to pellitize the sludge. <br />County Administrator Jim Chandler commented that composting and pellitizing both <br />work but the problem is finding a market. <br />Commissioner Ginn agreed that Palm Beach County is planning a regional plant and <br />would be willing to take our sludge. Our immediate problem, however, is the odor at our <br />sludge facility. Palm Beach County's facility should be up and running by September or <br />October and will be fired by gas from their Landfill. They will charge a tipping fee. Camp <br />Dresser McKee did a fantastic, job with their report and staff has also done a tremendous job. <br />APRIL 16, 2002 <br />-44- <br />