For example, in DC (where I recently lived and sewage often flows directly into the rivers) the local waterways were recently found to have levels of birth control pills and heart medications significant enough to affect the reproduction of the local wildlife. These same drugs were found in our tap water too! Local authorities said it was not possible to remove the hundreds of different pharmaceutical residues from the sewage or the recycled water that goes to our tap.

Using sludge for biogas and methane recapturing seems a more sensible use of the stuff. Meanwhile, we help Americans need less drugs by choosing to eat healthy, whole, organic foods!

I think another alternative to sludge- is decreasing the amount of chemicals we flush down the sewage, which could easily result in some new legsilation. Take for example, Québec and Ontario’s brave legislation banning all harmful personal lawn care pesticide use. Flushing down the drain should be thought of the same way as ‘garbage’- it isn’t going ‘away’, but into our waterways and food systems.