Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/147897
Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 According to a report written by Manatee County Senior Environmental Specialist Scott Browning, he observed a "silt/muck layer" and "floating scum/debris" on the Bowen property, but he told Bowen no elevated levels of nitrogen, phosphorous or fecal coliform had been detected in the river. The report says there were "several other possible sources/causes upstream in the river" that could be responsible for the muck. Page 28 Department of Environmental Protection Biosolids Inspector Craig Little also visited the site, on both April 30 and May 23. A field report from his April 30 trip includes a reference to a "Mild Odor," which he notes came "from Biosolids out of the city of Oldsmar." The May 23 field report indicates no such concerns. Appalachian "voluntarily purchased two 55 gallon drums of Malador Odor Counteractent to help reduce any potential future odor comBrowning also investigated the sludge site and plaints," Department External Affairs Managfound "no evidence" that biosolids were "flow- er Ana Gibbs explains in an email. ing off of the property." Sludge permit holders are required to keep de"We didn't find any evidence at all that any tailed logs of what they're dumping, as well as biosolids were making their way into the the "results of all soil and ground water monriver," Browning tells The Sarasota News itoring," according to the most recent permit Leader. There was "no clear source" for the issued to Appalachian. Gibbs says the process Bowen muck. ensures that testing is done before the biosol-