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Eagle River utility explores local sludge spreading after PFAS increase
Summary
City Light & Water reported a spring spreading reduced tank volumes by about 200,000 gallons and is negotiating permission to spread up to 240,000 additional gallons on private land pending DNR approval; staff continue to seek 40 acres for permanent spreading after PFAS levels rose in tests.
City Light & Water staff told the Common Council on May 12 that the utility is weighing lower-cost sludge-spreading options after tests showed an increase in PFAS in sludge samples.
Light & Water representative Mike Sanborn said spring spreading reduced tank levels by roughly 200,000 gallons. Sanborn said the utility is negotiating with a private landowner for permission to spread up to 240,000 additional gallons subject to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources inspection and approval, which would be less expensive than hauling sludge off-site. He said staff remain interested in locating and purchasing about 40 acres suitable for spreading in the longer term.
Sanborn further told the council that PFAS results from sludge testing "showed the number increased," and that the utility will continue to monitor concentrations. The council did not take an action to change disposal policy at the meeting but received the update and discussion of options.
What happens next: staff will continue PFAS monitoring, pursue the private-land spreading permission subject to DNR approval and continue searching for a permanent 40-acre spreading site.
