New Kent supervisors asked to oppose proposed sludge permit to DEQ
Citizens from New Kent and surrounding counties are asking supervisors to oppose a proposal from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow Synagro Central LLC to obtain a permit to bring sludge and other waste products into the county.
Concerned about the quality of water and hazardous smell, four people asked county leaders at the July 14 meeting to draft a resolution to deny Synagro the permit. The individuals addressed supervisors, providing documents in which Synagro allegedly endangers New Kent based on offenses that have occurred in other localities.
Documents provided to New Kent supervisors by opponents of the permit included letters from neighboring King William and King & Queen supervisors addressed to the state’s water control board. Those letters voiced disdain for the actions of Synagro, including an incident last December in West Point in which refuse spilled into yards of citizens, causing environmental damage and foul odors.
New Kent representatives said it was too early to make a decision on the issue, but District 5 supervisor Ray Davis spoke of his personal interaction with Synagro.
“They came to me a few years ago and told me about a product to help my farming,” said Davis. “While it worked to a degree, you had to get rid of it and the smell quickly.
“We need to get all the details on the issue,” he continued. “This is the first time I heard of them lumping all of this waste into one area.”
According to information obtained, Synagro wants to use 700 acres in New Kent to dump sludge and other waste products from major manufacturers. Opponents of Synagro say the company’s reputation is poor, providing articles to county supervisors that included lawsuits, criminal activity, and company violations on file.
Originally, the state water control board was to hear arguments on June 29, but the item was removed from the agenda and rescheduled due to concerns and public comments. New Kent supervisors will reconvene to address the issue and a possible resolution during its July 30 work session.