The town of Cameron in Steuben County is moving toward banning the use of biosolids as fertilizer due to concerns about PFAS. The town passed a resolution to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the process required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). Cameron follows Thurston, a neighboring town that banned biosolids last year. The county now has 30 days to review the assessment, with a public hearing scheduled for August 14.
Town OKs increased borrowing to pay cost of new upgrade at sewage treatment plant, which rose nearly 80% since 2022
The Riverhead Town Board recently approved an increased project budget for a new wastewater treatment facility. This increase, largely due to COVID-related supply chain issues and design changes, will cost the town $18.65 million and is to be paid off over 30 years. The project will convert the current sludge handling process to create Class A biosolids, which are more environmentally friendly and will save the town an estimated $25 million in operational costs over the next three decades. The project will be financed through property assessments within the service area, with the town securing a $17 million no-interest loan from the N.Y. State Environmental Services Corporation.
Beef With Biosolids: Concern Spreads in Pennsylvania County
Residents in Luzerne County, PA, are voicing their concerns over Biosolids being spread on farmland as fertilizer in Huntington Township. Biosolid is treated sewage sludge. Although Biosolids have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, residents are concerned that they could contain forever chemicals that could leach into streams. Since forever chemicals don't break down, they are concerned that these PFAS will build up over time and cause larger issues down the road.
While the state regulates biosolid use, there's no current standard for PFAS in biosolids. Township officials, like Barry Kyttle, are exploring ways to manage the issue, including possibly implementing a hauling fee to discourage farmers from using biosolids in the area. Currently, this "fertilizer" is free for farmers to use. One resident voiced his concern over this free fertilizer, saying “you have to wonder, if it’s so good and it’s supposed to be a premium fertilizer, then why is it free?”
Connecticut Passes Act Preventing Use or Sale of Biosolids or Sludge Containing PFAS
The State of Connecticut legislature passed an Act (SB-292) that will ban the use, sell or offer for sale in the state as a soil amendment any biosolids or wastewater sludge that contain PFAS. This Act goes into effect on October 1, 2024.
Michigan mayor seeks multimillion-dollar wastewater upgrade
The mayor of Warren, Michigan, Lori Stone, is seeking up to $100 million to upgrade the city's outdated wastewater treatment system, which serves over 137,000 residents. The proposed upgrade includes a new high-tech incinerator to better handle organic waste. The current system, built in 1957, is failing, leading to operational challenges like transporting sludge to landfills. The city is pursuing state and federal funding, including infrastructure grants, and aims to be a pilot program for this new technology.
May 2024 - MABA Biosolids Spotlight
The Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association (MABA) highlights the role of incineration in biosolids management, particularly for destroying persistent organic pollutants like PFAS. The region's incinerators, such as those operated by DELCORA and ACUA, have undergone significant upgrades to comply with federal regulations and improve operations. Both facilities face challenges with regulatory scrutiny, especially concerning air emissions and power disruptions. Despite these challenges, their ability to manage biosolids from various agencies positions them as key players in the biosolids disposal market.
Test results show new spike in PFAS chemicals in Dane County
A news station in Madison, Wisconsin, WKNOW, recently reported on tests that showed an increase in PFAS chemicals in the local water in two nearby counties. PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals" are manmade chemicals that don’t break down and can have adverse health effects on people and animals. If not removed, they can seep into the cropland and water supply contaminating food and drink. The EPA is continues to tighten regulations on the removal of PFAS from sewage sludge, but there is still a long way to go. The use of a multiple hearth furnace can be an effective way to remove PFAS from sewage sludge.
According to the story, "New test results from Public Health Madison and Dane County conclude more PFAS contamination has been identified. The organization has conducted private well testing, and 15% of tests came back with PFAS levels above Wisconsin's standard of 70 parts per trillion."
Sewage Seeps into California Beach City from Mexico
As news continues to mount over an increase in problems, a recent article from CBS News highlights the continuing issue of contaminated sewage sludge getting into waterways and cropland, ultimately finding its way into food and drink. This sewage sludge can contain PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals" and can present health risks to people if consumed. The use of a multiple hearth furnace can be an effective tool for removing.
The article states: "Over the last five years, over 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage have flowed through Mexico's Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean at the shores of the seaside town, contaminating the air, water, and soil and posing environmental and public health hazards. '
In addition: "Dangerous pathogens and chemicals in contaminated waters pose a spectrum of short and long-term health risks, spanning gastrointestinal issues to neurological disorders," according to the SDSU report.
Texas Farmers Claim Company Sold them PFAS-Contaminated Sludge
In our continued monitoring of PFAS making its way into sewage sludge, there is news out of Texas in which farmers claim that a waste management company supplied them with sludge that was contaminated by PFAS. As a result, there is a federal lawsuit against the waste management company. We've written before about the problem of PFAS being found in sewage sludge and how a multiple-hearth furnace can be an effective tool for removing PFAS from sewage sludge.
The article from The Guardian states: "A Texas county has launched a first-of-its-kind criminal investigation into the waste management giant Synagro over PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge it is selling to Texas farmers as a cheap alternative to fertilizer."
CBS News: Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state
From CBS News - "Fish Contaminated with 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Nearly Every State" - See the Video
PFAS, also known as "forever chemcials" have been of growing concern as they are being found in food and water around the country.
PFAS are a group of manmade chemicals that don’t break down and can have an adverse health effects on people and animals. Used commonly in products since the 1950s, PFAS can be found in many items including food packaging, commercial household products, clothing, and more. They are considered useful in manufacturing because they are resistant to wear, heat, and oil – prolonging the life of the product. However, once disposed of, if not removed, they find their way back into the environment. Learn more about removing PFAS.
EPA Webinar - Everything you wanted to know about PFAS but were afraid to ask: From the operators’ perspective
The EPA is hosting a free webinar - Everything you wanted to know about PFAS but were afraid to ask: From the operators’ perspective.
When: Wednesday April 12 at 1pm EST
About the Webinar:
In this webinar, Jamie Hope from the Florida Rural Water Association will examine emerging contaminants, PFAS and PFOA, and discuss what they are including uses, properties, environmental impacts, and potential treatment methods for wastewater and drinking water. The learning objectives of this webinar are to understand the complexity and impacts of Emerging Contaminants and UCMR 5 testing requirements. Participants will learn to identify the sources of Emerging Contaminants and how they were developed and subsequently released into the environment. Jamie will also identify potential treatment options for facilities including Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin (IX), Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF), Advanced Oxidation, and Biosolids Removal.
Maine Wastewater Treatment Plants Struggling to Dispose of Sludge
According to the article, "Crisis building at Kennebec County wastewater treatment plants" by Jessica Lowell of the Kennebec Journal as featured on Centralmaine.com, wastewater treatment plants across Maine are struggling with the disposal of sludge after recent state regulations have changed how biosolids can be handled.
These bills were primarily put into place because of the amounts of PFAS "forever" chemicals found to be contaminating soil and water. As a result, sludge can no longer be used in land applications and must be disposed of in another way to help prevent PFAS contamination.
These new regulations are taking a toll on wastewater treatment plants who are struggling to eliminate biosolids and are finding the need to have it hauled away to landfills at a high cost.
Incineration can be used in the elimination of PFAS in biosolids. Both Multiple Hearth Furnaces and Fluidized Bed Incinerators can get up to temperatures high enough to remove PFAS from waste.
Testing Found PFAS in Top Smoothie Company Drink
According to an article published in The Guardian, "Top US smoothie company accused of deception after toxic PFAS discovered" by Tom Perkins, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were found in the Green Goodness smoothie made by Bolthouse Farms. The company claims that the smoothie is made from 100% fruit juice, but after testing, PFAS were found within the drink.
Perkins writes, "PFAS researchers who reviewed the case told the Guardian the chemicals may have been in the fruit. Fruit could be contaminated from pesticides, water, or the use of PFAS-tainted sewage sludge as fertilizer."
Sewage sludge used as fertilizer has become increasingly problematic as PFAS are being found in the soil and in turn contaminate the crops. The EPA continues to evaluate the situation and tighten regulations around PFAS removal.
Incineration by way of Multiple Hearth Furnaces and Fluidized Bed Incinerators can be an effective method to remove PFAS. While adjustments may be needed to reach the necessary temperatures for PFAS elimination, this would be less costly than new equipment and more effective than other methods.
PFAS Forever Chemicals Found Near Moody Landfill near Birmingham AL
According to a recent news story from ABC News 33/40 in Birmingham AL, "Environmental organization says 'forever chemicals' detected near Moody landfill", high levels of PFAS have been found in the nearby Cahaba River. The Cahaba River is a source of drinking water for thousands who live in the Birmingham area.
The Cahaba Riverkeeper has expressed frustration at the response from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management which they feel has not done an adequate job of testing of the chemicals.
According to the article, water testing performed by the Cahaba Riverkeeper, "said the results it found at the landfill were alarming and many of the substances are linked to adverse health impacts."
PFAS "forever" chemicals continue to be a problem as they are found in soil and water across the United States. PFAS can be removed by waste treatment facilities through incineration using appropriate temperatures. Multiple Hearth Furnaces and Fluidized Bed Incinerators can get to temperatures high enough for removal.
Recent EPA Report - PFAS Continue to be Found in Biosolids
According to an EPA Report released in December 2022 - the Biosolids Biennial Report No.9 (Reporting Period 2020-2021) - PFAS continue to be found in biosolids / sewage sludge, a product of the wastewater treatment process. The report states that 13 new chemicals were found in biosolids, 3 of which are PFAS.
According to the report, "In early 2023, EPA is holding a Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting to review a three-step process to assess the risk of pollutants in biosolids." The EPA has already begun to tighten restrictions around PFAS.
Incineration by way of a Multiple Hearth Furnace or Fluidized Bed Incinerator can be a source for removing PFAS from sewage sludge. An upgrade may need to be made to this equipment to reach the temperature necessary to remove PFAS.