Schuylkill Watershed Congress

Presentation Overview | The application of biosolids on a farm near the Borough of Kutztown community wells was halted by a DEP-approved source water protection plan, intermunicipal cooperation, community pressure, and legislator involvement.

Abstract | In spring 2007, DEP approved a joint source water protection plan for the Borough of Kutztown, Borough of Lyons, and Maxatawny Township in eastern Berks County. In fall 2007, the municipalities learned that biosolids and food processing residual (FPR) waste were being applied on a farm in Maxatawny Township, approximately 1000 feet from the Kutztown wells that provide the sole source of water for nearly 20,000 people in the borough, township, and Kutztown University. Although the farm claimed to meet the minimum requirements of a biosolid permit and did not require a permit for the FPR application, neighbors produced compelling evidence that best practices required for biosolid or FPR application were not followed.

Neighbors, state regulators, municipal officials, legislators, the farmer, and biosolid representatives met regularly, and sometimes contentiously, over the course of two months. Municipal officials communicated directly with the generator, who was responsive to the community's concern. Ultimately, the farmer agreed to completely discontinue applying biosolids near the Kutztown wells. This presentation will describe this case study, with an emphasis on identifying the most important stakeholders, the most effective strategies, and the importance of a source water protection plan for controlling biosolids applications.

Overview of Presentation (12.1 MB)

Presenters:
Eric Grindrod, PG
Director | GeoEnvironmental Serivces
Grindrod has more than 20 years of environmental consulting experience including specialization in water resources, source water protection, watershed management, and water supply development.

Amy Munson, EIT
Ms. Munson has worked in water resource management for nearly ten years in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. At SSM, Amy has helped develop source water protection plans for numerous communities throughout Pennsylvania.

Jaymes Vettraino, MBA
Former Manager, Borough of Kutztown
Mr. Vettraino has been a municipal manager for ten years in Pennsylvania and Michigan. While managing Kutztown, Jaymes lead the source water protection efforts of the community.

For more information
Amy Munson- amy.munson@ssmgroup.com