Sewage plant told to stop ferrying sludge

A sewage plant in Shanghai's Jiading District has been ordered to stop dumping sludge into neighboring Jiangsu Province where it was used to make bricks.

Shanghai environmental protection authority started investigating after being tipped off that Shanghai Jiading New Town Sewage Plant had been ferrying sewage sludge to a brick factory in Jiangsu Province since last September. The sludge, containing poisonous chemicals, was being dumped into open air deep holes near the factory, just 50 meters away from the farmlands.

Sun Huilong, general manager of the sewage plant, confirmed that they had a contract with the brick factory. Sun said transporting the sludge for brick making was a "safe choice" for the plant which does not have the ability to properly deal with the sewage sludge.

But Sun admitted he had no idea whether the brick factory had a license issued by the environment authority to deal with the waste.

Sewage sludge, containing harmful elements after being used in sewage disposal, should be stored, transported and reused by licensed agencies. It could pollute the soil, underground water and harm the ecosystem if it is not properly dealt with.

Sun said sludge dealing facilities would be equipped in the plant this year. He maintained that ferrying it out of town for brick making was "safe choice" for them.

The Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau said it would send staff to Jiangsu brick factory for investigation.

Shanghai Jiading New Town Sewage Plant has been ordered to look for a licensed partner in Shanghai to deal with the sewage sludge.

Authorities say to deal with 1 ton of waste sludge could cost a company between 200 yuan to 400 yuan.

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