Recycled human waste on hay fields

[Pops15]

What state do you live in, if you don't mind me asking? Ken Sweet

Illinois.
Those things happened 20-25 years ago. Like everything else, I'm sure there is more regulation now.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm fascinated by the public's tendency to deny that human waste exists and it has to go somewhere. Why do people always say "I have to go to the bathroom" like it's the most embarassing thing they could mention. Like it's some kind of forbidden addiction? Our town's little waste treatment facility is a series of lagoons and a spray field. They just happen to harvest hay off of the spray field. I think some years they even harvest grain (for animal feed) off the fields. I'd feed the hay to any of my animals. I'd feed my family any of the animals fed by that hay. (Same for the grain.)

No matter how you dress it in popular environmental terms or public health debate, it's still the adult version of the 2-year-old's "Icky poopoo gakaa". Or, if you're 6, "Hee Hee! You said Poopoo!"

 

[rswyan]

I'm fascinated by the public's tendency to deny that human waste exists and it has to go somewhere ...... No matter how you dress it in popular environmental terms or public health debate, it's still the adult version of the 2-year-old's "Icky poopoo gakaa". Or, if you're 6, "Hee Hee! You said Poopoo!"

Pretty funny .... but I think you pretty much nailed it .... :thumbsup:

 

[CubMon]

Close your eyes, hold your nose, open your mouth and eat. Don't think about it....you'll only think of the "Icky poopoo gakaa" that you mention......funny thing about that.....

 

[kyspartan]

i would rather it be spread out on the land and used as fertilizer than some chemicals put in it then piped to nearest river like they do around here. people kill me, oh god dont use it as fertilizer they would rather drink it.

 

[tallyho8]

Almost all municipal systems treat the waste water then pump the liquids into a river but they dispose of the solids (sludge) in various ways. Our sludge is used in our sanitary landfills.

 

[RPW]

For some reason our society still has it's roots in victorian era. Yes I'd like to see the heavy metals not be in the treated waste but like so many have said it has to go somewhere. Having been to Korea and Germany years ago I've seen different ways fields are fertilized. During my time in Korea the smell from the honey wagons was very pervasive at times but also you have to keep in mind that (at least during that time) there wasn't the many varieties of household chemicals available. Today I don't know. If it's treated properly there shouldn't be a problem. But the problem remains due to our society wanting more for less and in order to achieve that end we cut corners to make a few more $$$. Maybe we should look more to quality over quantity..... just a thought.

 

[riptides]

One has to wonder what is harsher for the entire eco-system and us,

The cycle of human waste -or-
the cycle of manufactured fertilizers?

 

[dave1949]

For some reason our society still has it's roots in victorian era. Yes I'd like to see the heavy metals not be in the treated waste but like so many have said it has to go somewhere. Having been to Korea and Germany years ago I've seen different ways fields are fertilized. During my time in Korea the smell from the honey wagons was very pervasive at times but also you have to keep in mind that (at least during that time) there wasn't the many varieties of household chemicals available. Today I don't know. If it's treated properly there shouldn't be a problem. But the problem remains due to our society wanting more for less and in order to achieve that end we cut corners to make a few more $$$. Maybe we should look more to quality over quantity..... just a thought.

This is a good point. How many institutions, companies, agencies, etc. can you name that you trust without qualms? I can't think of many. We have come to accept mediocre ways of doing things. We sure aren't surprised when failure occurs. We are actually more surprised when something exceeds our expectations IMO.

This topic is an example. Several posters have said there shouldn't be a problem if the sludge is treated correctly and there are controls and tests. I think that is true, but I don't have much faith that is what will happen in many cases. It's sad to know the technology exists while feeling I don't trust the human element to use it correctly.
Dave.

 

[charlz]

We have come to accept mediocre ways of doing things. We sure aren't surprised when failure occurs. We are actually more surprised when something exceeds our expectations IMO.

Is it a technology thing? In the 'old days' they simply couldn't make some of the tiny, intricate parts etc so everything was 'built to last' by default? As technology advanced everything became 'faster, lighter, smaller' and thus things tended to break easier and less likely to be able to be repaired?

Technology has also led to a proliferation of different parts. Take fans for example. A while ago one of our fans died. No parts available from the manufacture, uses a special motor. I bet in the old days most fans used the same motor, made by GE or the like. Today parts are designed by/for the product, back then products were likely designed by the parts.

 

[jeffgreef]

As a building inspector, what I would want to see would be a standard created on proper treatment of septic waste for use as fertilizer.

This will become a more relevant issue in the future, I think, as the cost of synthetic fertilizers rises with the cost of oil.

There is a lot of nitrogen in that septic tank, and ought to be used, but your local health department won't let you use it unless you prove you aren't going to get your neighbors or yourself sick in the process. Thus the need for a credible, qualified standard that requires certain equipment, processes, inspection, regulation, etc.

I'm just as much against unnecessary government regulation as the next person, but when it comes to bubonic plague, cryptosporidia bacteria, and all the other fun stuff that ends up in your septic tank, I'm all for a health department with strict regulations and enforcement that are appropriate to the area they are in.

 

[dave1949]

Is it a technology thing? In the 'old days' they simply couldn't make some of the tiny, intricate parts etc so everything was 'built to last' by default? As technology advanced everything became 'faster, lighter, smaller' and thus things tended to break easier and less likely to be able to be repaired?

Technology has also led to a proliferation of different parts. Take fans for example. A while ago one of our fans died. No parts available from the manufacture, uses a special motor. I bet in the old days most fans used the same motor, made by GE or the like. Today parts are designed by/for the product, back then products were likely designed by the parts.

That's true. But, I think attitude plays a role also. Nothing to do with sludge, but my latest example is I bought a pre-paid cell phone online from Verizon to use while traveling. We don't have cell phone coverage at home, so I just wanted a phone to use in case of whatever while on the road.

So, the phone is delivered, I charge the battery and take it into town to try it out. When I turn it on, a screen mesage says push SEND to activate your phone. Since I signed up for a plan and have a $10 credit, it is already active in my mind. So, I push SEND. Get a message that says your phone is already acitvated on an account - that's correct. Push '1' to verify your accounts (plural ??? ). I push '1', and get a recorded message saying I am trying to call outside my normal zone.

So, I think maybe the phone is just confused. I call my home phone and get a message saying I can use a debit or credit card or collect call
I try to continue but the call never completes.

So, I come home and call Verizon's customer support. Very nice lady in Georgia who after I tell her I'm in a location with no signal wants me to try anyway. Okay, I go along and of course never get anything accomplished. Told me next time I am in a service area to push *228 SEND to complete the programming of my phone. I will be trying that later this afternoon.

The point is, how can it be such a circus to accomplish the simplest task? How much attention to detail would it take for Verizon not to put their customers through this nonsense? Was I surprised? - heck no. I have come to expect mediocrity everywhere.
Dave.

 

[CubMon]

I'm wondering if these mullings and mutterings over a specific topic are due to a mineral imbalance in the diet. There sure seems to be mixed thought about eating human sewage grown food....maybe it is taking effect. Problem is; everyone is equally effected so will all agree that it is OK 'cause the EPA said so.... sad state of affairs in the world - 'late great USA.'

 

[jinman]

I'm wondering if these mullings and mutterings over a specific topic are due to a mineral imbalance in the diet. There sure seems to be mixed thought about eating human sewage grown food....maybe it is taking effect. Problem is; everyone is equally effected so will all agree that it is OK 'cause the EPA said so.... sad state of affairs in the world - 'late great USA.'

CubMon, I've been told that electron beams hitting metal excite the electrons causing them to change orbits while giving off X-rays and backscattered electrons. Are you sure all your machines shields are in place?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm wondering if these mullings and mutterings over a specific topic are due to a mineral imbalance in the diet. There sure seems to be mixed thought about eating human sewage grown food....maybe it is taking effect. Problem is; everyone is equally effected so will all agree that it is OK 'cause the EPA said so.... sad state of affairs in the world - 'late great USA.'

Just a clarification... I think the consensus in this thread is pretty complete against human sewage grown food. The discussion is in regard to feed crops not for human consumption.

Food
Feed

Two different things.

 

[CubMon]

CubMon, I've been told that electron beams hitting metal excite the electrons causing them to change orbits while giving off X-rays and backscattered electrons. Are you sure all your machines shields are in place?

Oh jinman! I was thinking that you didn't care....just being rambunctious. Does your wife know?

 

[jinman]

Oh jinman! I was thinking that you didn't care....just being rambunctious. Does your wife know?

:dance1::dance1::dance1::cool2::cool2::cool2: :confused3::confused3::confused3:

 

[Chuck52]

Just a clarification... I think the consensus in this thread is pretty complete against human sewage grown food. The discussion is in regard to feed crops not for human consumption.

Food
Feed

Two different things.

Well, you are what you eat! And I guess that means you are what you eat eats? However, I've tried not to think about that too hard over the years, given some things I've eaten!

Chuck

 

[jinman]

Well, you are what you eat! And I guess that means you are what you eat eats? However, I've tried not to think about that too hard over the years, given some things I've eaten!

Chuck

Uh oh! I love catfish. What does that make me?:ashamed::ashamed::ashamed:

 

[riptides]

Uh oh! I love catfish. What does that make me?:ashamed::ashamed::ashamed:

Tasty? or Tastefull?