Eighty years ago, Milwaukee became the first community in the country to recycle its sewage as fertilizer. Now the future of Milorganite, the granddaddy of the industry, is uncertain. Increasing competition from other cities, rapidly escalating energy costs and the loss of industries that provided nutritious waste have taken a toll, prompting some to ask if there are more cost-effective ways to dispose of sludge. In addition, concerns have been raised by scientists that much of the anti-bacterial additives found in soap and other products are winding up in the sludge. It could, they say, be contributing to the growth of super bugs, antibiotic-resistant pathogens that could cause life-threatening illness. Scientists and government regulators agree that more study is needed on this aspect of sludge.
Despite calls for federal financial assistance from scientists and state officials, the Bush administration says it won't be investing billions of dollars in new funding for cleaning up the Great Lakes. The admission came Wednesday during a U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing as members of Congress, including Michigan's Rep. Vern Ehlers, quizzed Bush officials about the administration's financial commitment to Great Lakes restoration.
State and local officials sought support Wednesday for an extensive Great Lakes cleanup plan pending in Congress, warning that the ecosystem could be facing a dangerous so-called tipping point that could hinder future restoration. A U.S. House panel heard from government and academic experts on the restoration plan for the Great Lakes developed by a variety of stakeholders hoping to reduce the threat of invasive species, restore fish and wildlife and improve water quality.
