Augusta farmer - city sewage killed his cows

Augusta farmer says city sewage killed his
cows

The Associated Press - AUGUSTA, Ga.

A dairy farmer who decided to fertilize his land with
sewage sludge is
now suing the city, saying the muck poisoned hundreds
of his cows.

Bill Boyce has had a deal with Augustas Messerly
Wastewater plant
since 1986 to spread sludge on his fields as free
fertilizer.

The practice is common, but Boyce is now suing the
city. The dairy
farmer wants more than $12.5 million in damages
because he said the
sewage was not properly tested before being spread on
his land.

The owner of Boyceland Dairy testified Wednesday. He
said his cows
began getting sick and producing less milk. In 1998,
Boyce said, he lost
140 of 640 cows _ a mortality rate of 22 percent.

Augusta officials deny doing anything wrong at Boyces
farm.

Information from: The Augusta Chronicle