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Public commenters raise concerns about biosolids, stables and sewage disposal
Summary
At the Aug. 10 SFPUC meeting, multiple public speakers urged action on the PUC's biosolids giveaway program, described contamination findings, requested formal responses to legal petitions, and asked the commission to protect low‑cost Skyline Stables from displacement by the Harry Tracy project.
Public commenters used the commission’s public comment period to press two distinct community issues.
Biosolids and compost: John Stauber of the Food Rights Network said independent testing found PBDE flame retardants and triclosan in the sludge product the PUC had distributed to home and school gardens. He and others including Eric Brooks (San Francisco Green Party) and Paige Tomaselli (Center for Food Safety) asked the commission to halt the giveaway program, to apply the precautionary principle and to provide a formal response to a legal petition filed in February. Brooks said staff testing is limited in scope, may not cover pharmaceuticals and persistent toxins, and urged the PUC to explore alternative waste‑management approaches (including pilot separation and composting toilets) rather than continuing the giveaway.
The Center for Food Safety representative asked for a formal answer to the petition; Ed Harrington, general manager, corrected the public record by saying no decision had yet been made to place the item on the September agenda. Several public commenters said they would return in September for further testimony.
Skyline Stables and Harry Tracy project: Christine Hansen, president of the Skyline Stables board, said her nonprofit stable (lease through Feb. 2014 at the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant site) faces demolition under the Harry Tracy long‑term improvement project as currently proposed in the draft EIR. She asked the commission to ensure the department honors earlier relocation commitments and to protect recreational access for working‑class horse owners, saying nearby stabling options are more expensive and already full.
Ending: Commenters requested follow‑up at the September meeting; staff clarified the agenda status for the biosolids issue. The commission did not take immediate policy action but commissioners acknowledged the requests and staff noted outreach and scheduling steps.
