Septic firm proposes using Jordan Township farm fields for waste disposal

ANTRIM COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A residential septic service company in northern Michigan has submitted a proposal to dispose of waste in Antrim County.

Monday night, a public meeting was hosted by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Northwest Michigan Health Department to talk about the plan.

Northridge sanitation is wants to use farm fields bracketed by M-32, Hejhal and Freeman roads in Jordan Township as a disposal site.

EGLE said it has done a field inspection and says the soil tests showed no evidence of seasonal high water tables and is in an ideal area for the seepage program.

Officials said waste will be injected six inches into the ground with capped tubes called ferrules, still, some residents are concerned.

Six inches, I mean if you were going 10 or 12 inches, I can see that it’s not going to smell, but you’re hitting rocks.

“When you land apply the septage is not, the septage is basically pumped through piping through the injector unit and there’s very little odor associated with that,” said Greg Merricle, program coordinator for the EGLE Septage Program. “To me it’s like you kind of notice a compact earthy smell, but that’s it.”

EGLE said corn and oats will be planted over the fields.

According to officials, Northridge Sanitation still needs to get a license for its disposal vehicle and will also notify area residents before it can get final approval on the proposal.

Those against the project asked State Rep. John Roth, who was at last night’s meeting, to send a letter to EGLE with their concerns.