With Denali Water Solutions’ operations on hiatus, Vallerie Steele, spokesperson for the citizens group SLUDGE (Stop Land Use Damaging our Ground and Environment), fears that residents are forgetting the unpleasantries and hazards connected with the land-application of meat-processing waste. To bring the issue back to forefront of residents’ minds, SLUDGE is hosting a fish-fry fundraiser and informational session on Saturday at 6 p.m. at H & H Pool Hall in Cassville.

“The concerns with land-application have not gone away, especially not in Barry County,’ Steele said.

Two companies – HydroAg Environmental and Synagro Central – have permits pending with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to land-apply meat-processing sludge and human biosolids to some 8,400 acres in Barry County and 778 acres in McDonald County. Although Synagro is currently applying sludge, when newcomer HydroAg’s permits are approved, a smorgasbord of sludge and human waste will be applied to an additional 5,000 acres in Barry County.

Much of the targeted acreage surrounds Cassville, on land within Roaring River Spring’s known recharge basin, putting the spring at possible risk for contamination.

Aside from being a tourist draw for Barry County, Roaring River Spring is a representative feature of the unique karst geology of the Ozarks.

Characterized by soluble dolomite and limestone bedrock, karst is riddled with cracks, conduits, sinkholes and caves, all of which facilitate the underground travel of water.

“Water entering into a sinkhole can travel more than 30 miles underground before resurfacing in a spring,” according to the Department of Natural Resources’ website. “[In] sensitive karst areas, pollutants can quickly impact water resources many miles away from the contamination source.”

Dye-tracing tests to determine the extent of Roaring River Spring’s recharge basin are ongoing; the most recent results show the spring is drawing water from at least 15 miles away. Fifteen miles encompasses farmland near Seligman, Washburn, Wayne, Exeter, Mineral Springs and Rockhouse Creek: all vicinities where land-owners play (and plan to play) Russian Roulette with the water-quality in the spring.

In other areas of the Ozarks, creeks and private drinking water supplies are equally susceptible to the excess nutrients and chemicals contained in processing waste.

Recent DNR concerns focus on the content of PFAS (the “forever chemical”) present in sludge and human biosolids. The EPA recently established new federal drinking water standards for the chemical, with Missouri following suit.

After new language regarding PFAS is incorporated into the proposed land-application permits for Synagro and HydroAg, a new public comment period will be opened up for the permits, and Barry County’s in-person public DNR hearing will be scheduled, says DNR’s Heather Peters.

“SLUDGE’s Saturday night fish-fry will give residents the chance to learn more about the wastewater process, sludge and the proposed permits, in advance of the DNR public hearing,” Steele said.

Tickets may be purchased for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

H & H Pool Hall is located at 473 State Highway 76 in Cassville.

Proceeds will benefit SLUDGE’s lawsuit against the DNR, which alleges that, by allowing the land-application of sludge, the department is not enforcing Missouri’s Solid Waste Law