In a small Maine town, residents face the lingering effects of sewage sludge and wastewater contamination, raising concerns about soil and water safety. The company has ceased operations, but the town deals with potential soil and water contamination without significant state investigation. Key quote:“It was a smaller project in a smaller town and therefore was paid less attention. The entire community in central Maine lived with this problem for a decade.”— Kenneth Fredette, lawyer and former Republican lawmaker. Why this matters:Repurposing sewage waste, once envisioned as a winning solution to the problems of waste management and fertilizer shortages has spawned a fast-growing public health crisis.

Source: The Guardian February 20, 2024 12:23 UTC