On Wednesday 31 October (Halloween) at 3 p.m. outside the new Sewer Treatment Facility, one block from the Metro Water Department, Nashville witches, ghouls, and goblins are protesting the use of Metro's sewer sludge (human and industrial waste) as 'fertilizer', 'soil amendment' or on golf courses. "We have to stop fouling our nest--our earth and water--with our waste," said Mother Earth (aka long time BURNT activist Sherry Force). 

Metro has a pending bid to allow 25,000 dry of tons of industrial and human waste annually, most likely to be used on golf courses [Metro RFP 07-53].  

Activists will release a letter to Nashville Mayor Karl Dean asking him stop contemplated use of sewer sludge in the environment. "This material belongs in landfills. From human waste to solid waste we believe we offer a positive environmental agenda for Nashville," said BURNT president Bruce Wood. BURNT proposes that Metro Water and Sewer tighten standards for industrial waste, educate government leaders on reducing toxicity of residential waste, and evaluate alternative methods of processing residential waste.  

When:              Wednesday, October 31^st at 3:00 P.M.

Where:             In Front of Sewer Treatment Plant

• One Block From Metro Water Services
• 1600 2nd Avenue North
• Nashville, Tennessee   37208  

What:

•  Signs and Costumes!
• Release of letter to Mayor Karl Dean asking him to say “NO” to the pending contract allowing the   spread of sewer sludge in Tennessee’s environment.
• Release of letter to the Federal Justice Department protesting the Metro Sewer Overflow Consent Decree.

Why:                Until 1992 human and industrial waste was largely dumped in the ocean. The EPA banned this practice and developed "safe" 503 standards under the Clean Water Act for disposal of sludge. Water treatment utilities test for only ten (10) primary chemicals. Possible build up from multiple sources of pesticides, herbicides, and sludge as contaminating water and food crops is the concern. Metro has had years of problems with composting and disposing of sewer waste either at the Metro Water treatment Plant or off-site. 

For More Information contact Bruce Wood at 615-327-8515.