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Biosolids NewsClips - July 30, 2025
The July edition of MABA NewsClips continues to follow key developments in biosolids management, with a focus on PFAS-related concerns, legislative activity, technological innovation, and operational changes across the Mid-Atlantic region, the United States, and globally.
In New York, the state Senate passed a bill proposing a five-year moratorium on land application of biosolids, though the Assembly adjourned without advancing a vote. Concurrently, the Town of Cameron joined Thurston as the only municipalities in the state to implement local bans on biosolids use. Public sentiment and media coverage reflected growing concerns over PFAS contamination, with advocates urging greater scrutiny of biosolids reuse. The Ontario County Planning Committee approved a feasibility study to evaluate biosolids disposal options ahead of the planned 2028 closure of the county landfill, signaling long-term planning challenges.
In Pennsylvania, Penn State researchers released findings indicating PFAS presence in 65% of tested private wells, and above-standard levels in 18%. Meanwhile, Lackawanna County's wastewater authority began proactive PFAS sampling in collaboration with PA DEP and the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Foundation. In Maryland, Baltimore approved a $30M contract for biosolids composting and pelletizing at the Back River facility.
At the national level, a landmark study linked wastewater treatment facilities and land-applied biosolids to widespread PFAS pollution in rivers across the country. In response, several municipalities and states are initiating studies or shifting operations—Salem, Oregon approved funding for PFAS research, while the City of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware discontinued land application following facility upgrades. In Florida, the Wellington facility received statewide recognition for its Class AA biosolids program, while Pasco County celebrated the opening of a modern biosolids pelletizing facility. Meanwhile, Vaulted Deep signed a historic carbon removal deal with Microsoft, highlighting new frontiers in biosolids-based carbon management.
Legislative and regulatory dynamics remain contentious, with the U.S. House of Representatives proposing to block PFAS safeguards related to biosolids, and the Trump administration terminating $15M in PFAS-farmland research. Oregon and other states are pursuing PFAS-focused biosolids studies, while cities like Troy, OH and Columbus, IN are investing in biosolids infrastructure modernization.
Internationally, countries are grappling with both innovation and controversy. Canada and Australia advanced biosolids-to-biochar technology, while the UK faced growing scrutiny over land application practices. In India and New Zealand, efforts are underway to scale sludge treatment and composting infrastructure, although challenges persist with hazardous waste management and community concerns over odors and improper disposal.
As PFAS concerns continue to reshape public perception and regulatory approaches, MABA remains committed to monitoring developments and supporting science-based, sustainable biosolids management.
MABA will continue to monitor these developments and provide timely updates to members.
If you have biosolids-related news to share or are interested in participating in MABA’s Communications Committee, please contact Mary Baker at 845-901-7905 or [email protected].
Biosolids News
(as of July 22, 2025)
MABA Region
Should sewage sludge be used as fertilizer for New York's farmland?
Rochester, NY (10 Jun 2025) - For decades, state and federal officials have actively encouraged the use of sewage sludge — marketed as biosolids by waste companies — as a cost-effective fertilizer alternative. New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC, describes the product as “nutrient-rich organic materials,” and wants to more than double its recycling rate for biosolids. But a growing number of residents and researchers are questioning that directive.
Committee endorses study of biosolid disposal options after landfill closes
Canandaigua, NY (11 Jun 2025) - The Board of Supervisors’ Planning & Environmental Quality Committee voted Monday to recommend contracting with Barton & Loguidice for a biosolids disposal feasibility study in anticipation of the closure of the Ontario County Landfill at the end of 2028. The $75,000 cost would come from the county Department of Sustainability and Solid Waste Management budget reserve funds.
Ontario County eyes biosolids plan ahead of landfill closure
Steuben County town of Cameron passes local law banning the use of sewage sludge
Cameron, NY (11 Jun 2025) - In a unanimous vote Wednesday evening, the Steuben County town of Cameron passed a local law banning the use of sewage sludge on farm fields. “I’ve been wanting this level of town action for 39 years now,” said Wayne Wells, a resident of Cameron whose creek has been tainted by forever chemicals, which he believes came from the neighboring farm’s use of sewage sludge. During last month’s public hearing, no one in attendance spoke in opposition to the local law. Cameron Town Supervisor Robert Manley said the town also didn’t receive opposition letters following the hearing.
Thurston, Cameron now only towns in New York state that ban the use of ‘sewage sludge’ as fertilizer
New York state Senate passes bill for 5-year moratorium on the use of biosolids
Albany, NY (12 Jun 2025) - The proposed bill that would put a five-year moratorium on the use of sewage sludge on farmland passed the New York state Senate on Thursday. For decades, spreading sludge — also known as biosolids — was seen as an acceptable practice to fertilize farm fields, but now residents nearby are experiencing contamination of their drinking wells by forever chemicals, or PFAS. The bill passed 48-11.
As the state Senate calls it a session, the Assembly still has a lot of work to do
Sewage sludge moratorium doesn't get vote in New York Assembly
NY sludge ban stalls after lobbyist push
Albany County biosolids moratorium continues as state fails to pass a similar measure
Can New York keep sewage sludge out of our food system?
Chateaugay sludge product nearly banned in NY
Study: 'Forever chemicals' detected in 65% of sampled private wells, 18% had levels beyond standards
State College, PA (18 Jun 2025) - A team of researchers from Penn State University found that 18% of sampled private wells in the state had levels of PFAS that were higher than drinking water standards. Penn State announced the research findings Wednesday, and the study will be in the July issue of the Journal of Environmental Management. In researching potential contamination of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater feeding private wells, the research team looked at 167 private wells over three years. The study found that 30 of the wells exceeded the maximum contaminant levels for drinking water set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and 108, or 65% of the studied wells, had detectable PFAS concentrations, with each of the 20 tested compounds detected at least once and nearly half of the wells seeing several compounds detected.
Lackawanna County wastewater treatment plant takes a proactive approach to 'forever chemicals'
Lackawanna County, PA (20 Jun 2025) - The EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have yet to set limits or standards on forever chemicals in the byproducts of wastewater treatment plants. But leaders at the sewer authority anticipate such mandates will come, and are taking a proactive approach to get a benchmark or an idea of the PFAS levels in the wastewater that the authority treats from 17 municipalities in Lackawanna County. The sewer authority is working with DEP and the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Foundation to analyze PFAS levels at the facility.
Baltimore approves $30M waste contract, extends funds for Pratt Street construction
Baltimore, MD (3 Jul 2025) - Matthew Garbark, interim deputy director of the Baltimore Department of Public Works (DPW), said the contract covers Back River’s compost facility, which processes 30% of all biosolids the plant disposes of. The remaining 70% is dried and pelletized before being sold as fuel fertilizer or additive for concrete, according to Garbark.
Landmark US study reveals sewage sludge and wastewater plants tied to PFAS pollution
New York, NY (4 Jul 2025) - Sewage sludge and wastewater treatment plants are major sources of PFAS water pollution, new research finds, raising questions about whether the US is safely managing its waste. A first-of-its-kind study tested rivers bordering 32 sewage sludge sites, including wastewater treatment plants and fields where the substance is spread as fertilizer – it found concerning levels of PFAS around all but one.
Study finds 'alarming' PFAS pollution from biosolids in Spokane River watershed
Citizen calls out Westmoreland’s lack of action on biosolids
Study finds sewer sludge tied to 'forever chemical' pollution in the Cape Fear River
Sewage Sludge and Wastewater Treatment Plants Identified as Key Sources of PFAS Pollution
SC has most polluted river in country containing forever chemicals, says report. Where it is
High concentrations of dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ found in Midwestern rivers, report shows
Report finds 'forever chemicals' widespread in U.S. rivers, including Chattahoochee
Report Finds PFAS Levels Elevated Near Wastewater Sites (includes CASA response letter)
Why Aren’t PFAS in Land-Applied Biosolids Regulated by EPA?
Lancaster, PA (14 Jul 2025) - Agricultural stakeholders, water quality activists and environmental regulators across the country are becoming increasingly aware that the land application of sewage sludge as a soil supplement and nutrient source appears to carry with it the potential risk of soil and ground water contamination by high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Less well understood are the variables that may impact the extent, levels, available preventive practices and methods of remediation. Regardless of the learning curve faced, significant changes to current practices regarding biosolids will likely be forthcoming in the coming months.
Trump administration yanks $15m in research into PFAS on US farms: ‘not just stupid, it’s evil’
New York, NY (15 Jul 2025) - The Trump administration has killed nearly $15m in research into PFAS contamination of US farmland, bringing to a close studies that public health advocates say are essential for understanding a worrying source of widespread food contamination. Researchers in recent years have begun to understand that PFAS-laden pesticides and sewage sludge spread on cropland as a fertilizer contaminate the soil with the chemicals, which then move into crops and nearby water sources.
The air is so toxic in Onondaga County’s new $23 million sewage building that workers can’t go inside
Syracuse, NY (14 Jul 2025) - A new building at Onondaga County’s sewage plant on Hiawatha Boulevard was supposed to be saving taxpayers millions of dollars every year by now. Instead, the $23 million building finished in 2024 sits idle because the air quality inside is too dangerous for workers, according to union leaders and internal county emails. A syracuse.com investigation reveals that County Executive Ryan McMahon’s project is unsafe, overbudget, late and shrouded in secrecy.
House Plans to Stop Progress on Forever Chemicals in Sewage Sludge
Washington, DC (15 Jul 2025) - Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives want to block any action to protect farms, dairies, and ranches from exposure to toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contained within biosolid fertilizers made from sewage sludge. If enacted, the action would add to the already colossal agricultural losses and exacerbate mounting public health risks, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
Microsoft Signs 4.9M Tonne Carbon Removal Deal with Vaulted Deep to Scale Biosolids-Based Climate Solutions
New York, NY (18 Jul 2025) - Vaulted Deep has signed a landmark agreement with Microsoft to deliver up to 4.9 million tonnes of durable carbon dioxide removal by 2038, representing the second-largest carbon removal deal on record. The offtake agreement marks a major milestone not only for the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) sector, but also for the biosolids management industry, which has seen little innovation in over half a century.
Rehoboth wastewater no longer in the sludge business
Rehoboth Beach, DE (20 Jul 2025) - For years, Rehoboth Beach hauled sludge created through the treatment of wastewater in 5,500-gallon tanker trucks up to a farm outside Milford for land application. With the recent completion of the city’s new belt filter press at the treatment plant, the city is no longer in the land-application business. Instead, it’s now in the cake-making business. The city’s lease on the farmland expired in April. During a commissioner meeting in late June, Public Works Director Henry Matlosz said the treatment facility’s new belt filter press is operational. It takes the sludge, which is 2% solid, and turns it into a material called cake, which is about 18% solid, he said, adding that the liquid pressed out of the new filter goes back for further treatment.
Nationally
Wellington Wins Statewide Recognition Utility Plants
Wellington, FL (13 Jun 2025) - In addition to these honors, the Wastewater Reclamation Facility was recently named “Best Small Facility Class AA Dried Product Biosolids Program of 2025” by the Florida Water Environment Association. This state-level recognition highlights Wellington’s innovative and environmentally responsible biosolids program. The village’s facility produces Class AA biosolids — the highest quality designation — and safely recycles treated wastewater into reclaimed water for irrigation, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainability.
Redmond Makes Way for Natural Wastewater Treatment
Redmond, OR (18 Jun 2025) - Redmond is set to transform the way it treats wastewater with a new natural system known as the Redmond Wetlands Complex, intended to meet the needs of its growing population. In constructing this project, the City of Redmond will decommission its existing, mechanical Water Pollution Control Facility to transition to its new system, which will use engineered ponds and wetlands to naturally treat waste. Construction is set to begin in early July 2025, with anticipated completion by Fall 2027.
Oregon Legislature approves study of PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer
Salem, OR (20 Jun 2025) - Oregon lawmakers have passed a bill funding a study of the "forever chemical" PFAS in agricultural fields fertilized with sewage sludge. Public wastewater systems throughout the state, including those in Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany and Wilsonville, offer treated sludge leftover from sewage processing, known as biosolids, to farmers who don’t grow crops for human consumption.
Commission discusses delays to Salem water plant project
Salem, OH (21 Jun 2025) - Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Dean Stokes said that “a lot has happened in the last 30 days” on phase three improvements at the wastewater treatment plant. He said that the roofs had been completed for both the sludge condition and anaerobic digester buildings, and that seed sludge intended to jumpstart the digesters had arrived and had been pumped into the system this week. He also said that the insulation of PONDUS equipment had been completed and that the system should be coming online soon with Centrisys set to be on site by July 21, noting that the goal was for the system to be fully operational by August.
MPCA seeks comment on proposed anaerobic digestion facility near Litchfield
Litchfield, MN (21 Jun 2025) - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is inviting public comment through July 10 on the environmental assessment worksheet for a proposed anaerobic digestion facility in Forest City Township. Roughly seven miles northeast of Litchfield, the two anaerobic digesters, storage buildings and other infrastructure will be built by Vanguard Organics LLC on a leased area on the Wagner Dairy Farm, according to a news release from the agency.
St. Johns County homeowners sue Indianhead Biomass over odor
St. Johns County, FL (20 Jun 2025) - In St. Johns County, six homeowners in the Morgan’s Cove neighborhood have filed a lawsuit against Indianhead Biomass Services after nearly two years of smelling what they believe is human waste in the air. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, June 17, claims the company’s composting and biosolid treatment facility emits a noxious odor similar to human waste. Residents said the smell has lowered their property values and hurt their quality of life.
Regional water steward calls for biosolid testing amid forever chemical concerns
Stench summit: St. Augustine processing plant to host community meeting as smell concerns spiral
City plays part in innovation award
Derby, KS (25 Jun 2025) - Back in September 2024, the city of Derby entered a contract with Vaulted Deep of Hutchinson to pursue a secondary disposal method for its biosolid waste. Now, not even a year later, the process is bearing plentiful fruit. Not only has it helped Derby successfully dispose of its biosolids, but Vaulted Deep Business Development Manager Luke Sharp informed the Derby City Council at its June 24 meeting that it is now an award-winning process.
City council approves modernization project for Tyler Water Utilities’ ‘sludge lagoon’
Tyler, TX (25 Jun 2025) - On Wednesday, city council approved a project to help Tyler Water Utilities modernize its wastewater system. City council approved a $2,462,950 contract with Capps-Capco Construction for the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant Fast-Tracked Sludge Lagoon Rehabilitation Project. The Westside plant has a 5.2 million gallon biosolids storage lagoon originally used to store sludge during land application. The city said TWU now processes all biosolids through a dewatering facility and disposes of them at the landfill, but the lagoon plays a vital backup role during times when the dewatering facility becomes overloaded.
Utility rates go up in St. Albans City
St. Albans City, VT (26 Jun 2025) - People in the city of St. Albans and some surrounding areas will be seeing an increase in utility rates – 7.5% to be exact. City director of finance and administration, Sarah Macy, says the driving forces include necessary maintenance work and aging infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant. “There are only so many people available to haul sludge, there are only so many places you can haul it to – and our equipment is aging,” Macy explains.
City to replace two centrifuges at wastewater treatment plant
Columbus, IN (29 Jun 2025) - Utility officials have approved a proposal to replace two centrifuges at the Columbus City Utilities (CCU) wastewater treatment plant. The project will allow the utility to keep up with city growth and stay flexible with biosolids operations, according to utilities officials. The board consented to a guaranteed maximum proposal with Bowen Engineering for $2,015,746 to replace and upsize two biosolids centrifuges at the plant, located at 3465 S. Jonesville Road.
Council approves 5% budget increase for The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant
Dalles, OR (8 Jul 2025) - Tucked behind industrial buildings lining W. First Street, The Dalles Wastewater Treatment Plant spends every day the same way: about 2.5 million gallons of sewage pours in from kitchens, bathrooms, businesses and Google data-centers. The sludge gets filtered of grease and grit, processed by hungry microbes, and finally disinfected before re-entering the Columbia River. Operators monitor dissolved oxygen, nutrient loads and E. coli, keeping the system going non-stop.
Clarksville Gas and Water’s odor-reducing thermal dryer project pushed back until September
Clarksville, TN (2 Jul 2025) - In the meantime, Riggins said they are still throwing around the idea of land application of the biosolids due to the interest from the community, but they have additional research to conduct. This includes plans to have the product/pellets tested to see what they can and can’t do with them. It also includes researching regulations at a state and federal level.
Human waste contributes to Florida's nutrient overload
Lake Okeechobee, FL (8 Jul 2025) - In June, 1000 Friends of Florida released information gathered in a grant-funded study about land spreading of biosolids in the state of Florida. Biosolids are human waste, processed with heating, composting, digestion or increased pH to reduce pathogens. Class B are the least processed. Class AA are the most processed, and can be sold as fertilizer for home use.
Sewage sludge in river basin could cost $1B for cleanup
Jacksonville, FL (10 Jul 2025) - A study released this week by the Public Trust for Conservation estimates that cleaning up pollution created by sewage sludge in the St. Johns River basin could cost taxpayers more than $1 billion over the next four decades. The study conducted by The Balmoral Group is called Biosolids: Economic Estimate of Societal Costs to Land Application.
Troy Council OKs biosolids management agreement
Troy, OH (10 Jul 2025) - Troy Council approved a resolution to enter into a 10-year extension to the agreement with Agri-sludge Inc. of Shreve, for biosolids management at the Water Treatment Plant at its Monday evening meeting, July 7. The city’s current professional services agreement with Agri-Sludge Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant will expire at the end of September, and the agreement with Agri-Sludge provides for two five-year mutually agreed upon extensions, but Agri-Sludge has suggested an extension for 10 years.
New law allowing out-of-state bulky waste in Maine landfills sparks debate
Alton, ME (11 Jul 2025) - Cities and towns across Maine rely on the state’s landfills to dispose of sludge and solid waste. But operators say they can’t do it alone, and they need more bulky waste from outside the state to keep the system stable. A newly signed law is making that possible. The law allows Casella Waste Systems to bring in up to 100,000 tons of out-of-state waste each year for the next two years. That includes items like construction debris and old furniture—the kind of material that can help “bulk” sludge, which is key for safe landfill management.
City of Lewistown evaluating options for treatment waste solutions
Lewistown, MT (11 Jul 2025) - The City of Lewistown appears likely to discontinue its biosolids composting program in an effort to get back into compliance with Montana Department of Environmental Quality standards at the municipal wastewater treatment plant. During a city commission meeting Monday night, representatives from city engineering firm Robert Peccia and Associates recommended that the City move away from compositing treated sludge to a system of land application after drying the solid byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. The final product could then be applied to agricultural land.
Salem City Council approves $10K study on PFAS in wastewater treatment biosolids
Salem, OR (15 Jul 2025) - The City of Salem Council convened on July 14, 2025, to discuss significant initiatives aimed at enhancing the community's environmental sustainability and public health. Among the key topics was the approval of a funding agreement with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to support Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act, a pioneering effort that positions the state as a leader in producer responsibility for recyclable materials.
$1M equipment upgrade at Erving wastewater plant would reduce hauling costs
Erving, MA (16 Jul 2025) - Erving Industries Inc., which operates the Erving Center Wastewater Treatment Plant on Route 2, hopes to install new flash drying equipment to reduce sludge hauling costs. The proposal to install an IEC Thermo-brand attrition flash dryer was detailed to the Selectboard last week, with Erving Industries CEO and President Morris Housen and Plant Engineer Tawandah Musengi discussing the equipment and a timeline for completion. The town contracts Erving Industries to run the town-owned facility, located 500 yards west of the paper mill at 97 East Main St.
Waste not: Biosolids offer sustainable, affordable solution for farmers
Moose Lake, MN (20 Jul 2025) - Reusing and repurposing is trendy and a good way to help the environment by keeping items out of quickly filling landfills. Many might be surprised to discover that sewage can also be repurposed into something useful, which helps save money and landfills. That’s right, the sewage that gets flushed down the drain ends up in a treatment center, goes through a treatment process and comes out as three new resources, according to Erik Johnson, environmental program coordinator at Resource Renew. The new resources are clean water, methane gas used for heating and biosolid fertilizer, which can be spread on farmlands, depending on which class they fall under, A or B.
Biosolids Processing Facility Opens in Pasco County
Shady Hills, FL (20 Jul 2025) - Last week, Merrell Bros., Inc. invited the public and industry professionals, among other related groups, to the unveiling of their newly completed, state-of-the-art FloridaGreen Fertilizer Milling and Bagging Facility in Pasco County. Throughout the morning, staff members guided attendees on a tour of the facilities and the ultra-modern biosolid pelletizing systems. Keynote speeches by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson took place on Thursday and Friday.
Internationally
Celebrating a decade of turning Sudburians’ waste into fertilizer gold
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (12 Jun 2025) - Flushing your toilet isn’t the end of the road for your waste, with approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of reusable fertilizer created out of Greater Sudbury wastewater solids per year. This month, Niagara Falls-headquartered Walker Industries marked their 10th anniversary of operating Greater Sudbury's biosolids plant at the municipal Kelly Lake Road wastewater plant.
Walker and Greater Sudbury celebrate environmental partnership
Funds for 15 sewage treatment plantsunder AMRUT scheme
Chennai, India (13 Jun 2025) - Fifteen sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be set up in the State under various local bodies as part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has released its share of the first instalment of ₹5.25 crore for setting up the plants. The plants are being set up under the Jal Hi Amrit initiative as part of AMRUT 2.0 to incentivise urban local bodies to improve the quality of treated used water by ensuring efficient operations of treatment plants and promoting recycling and reuse.
Carterton embraces compost trial for sludge
Carterton, New Zealand (18 Jun 2025) - Carterton District Council will trial a greener approach when it comes to disposing of sludge from its wastewater ponds. At a Policy and Projects committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors endorsed a trial to compost the waste, which could stand to make the council money, if successful. Council infrastructure services manager Johannes Ferreira said disposing of wastewater sludge was a challenge facing many councils across New Zealand.
Work continues to resolve New Minas, N.S., sewage stench, answer questions
Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada (20 Jun 2025) - The second of five treatment lagoons is apparently the current leading cause of a recurring foul odour emanating from the regional sewage treatment plant in New Minas. County of Kings chief administrative officer Scott Conrod and environmental services manager Martin Kehoe presented an update to councillors at the June 17 committee of the whole session.
Ludhiana: Hazardous waste piling up amid rejuvenation claims
Ludhiana, India (27 Jun 2025) - Even as the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) has repeatedly claimed that Buddha Nullah is being cleaned and rejuvenated, serious lapses have emerged in the handling of toxic sludge generated by the city’s sewage treatment plants (STPs) and effluent treatment plants (ETPs). Despite crores of rupees being spent, no mechanisms exist that can safely process or dispose of the sludge, which contains dangerous levels of heavy metals. Importantly, questions have been raised, where the sludge is being disposed of as STPs are running more than a decade ago.
CRD selects Australian first-of-its-kind technology for biosolids
Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada (27 Jun 2025) - The Capital Regional District is ready to embark on a first-of-its-kind system in Canada, converting biosolids from its wastewater treatment system into biochar – a beneficial substance for soil and carbon capture. Australian engineering company Pyrocal PTY Ltd. is the preferred proponent to integrate innovative technology for the residuals treatment facility at Hartland Landfill to process class A biosolids, the CRD announced Thursday (June 26).
Botley sludge treatment centre now producing biosolids
Botley, England (27 Jun 2025) - The centre, CSG Botley, which opened last year, has received certification from the Biosolids Assurance Scheme (BAS). This means biosolids, produced from the sewage the site receives, can be safely used on farms cultivating crops to Red Tractor standards. Biosolids, produced by treating sludge from the wastewater recycling process, are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients.
St Ninian's owners issue statement on 'unpleasant' smell
Stirling, Scotland (4 Jul 2025) - National Pride say as part of the process, biosolid material derived from the treatment of wastewater is being introduced to the land which help to break up compacted soil and provide essential nutrients to support healthy plant and tree growth. They continued: "Without this intervention, the land would remain barren and unproductive for years to come. The process is similar to traditional agricultural practices where biosolids and slurry are applied to farmland to enhance soil fertility.
‘A Trojan horse’: how toxic sewage sludge became a threat to the future of British farming
London, England (7 Jul 2025) - For decades, sewage sludge has been quietly spread across Britain’s farmland, marketed as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. But insiders and scientists warn that hidden within it is a mix of household and industrial chemicals such as Pfas (“forever chemicals”), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormone-damaging chemicals and microplastics, threatening the long-term health of the land.
Millions of tonnes of toxic sewage sludge spread on UK farmland every year
‘Like fly-tipping’: ministers ignoring pleas to cut sludge fertiliser use
Environment Agency insider alleges ‘cover-up’ over sewage sludge on farmland
City residents raise concerns over improper disposal of wastewater, faecal sludge
Bhubaneswar, India (14 Jul 2025) - Residents across several localities in Bhubaneswar are voicing serious concerns over the alleged improper disposal of wastewater, particularly faecal sludge, by numerous households and apartment complexes. The unsanitary practice has led to open drains and roads being inundated with waste, causing significant inconvenience to people. The issue is particularly severe in prominent areas such as Old Town, Jaydev Vihar, Mancheswar, Nayapalli and Chakeisiani. |
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July 2025 - Sally Brown Research Library & Commentary
Provided for consideration to MABA members by
Sally Brown, PhD., University of Washington
Urban Opportunity
From your ass to your grass.
The vast majority of biosolids are produced in urban areas, where most of the people live. Developing local customers for your biosolids and reclaimed water seems like an obvious choice. Low transportation costs, loyal and local customers, perhaps even a revenue stream. It offers the opportunity for the people that provide the raw ingredients to make use of the finished products. But this almost never happens. This library will focus on the potential for urban uses of biosolids.
Article #1 Pivotal role of municipal wastewater resource recovery facilities in urban agriculture: A review states the case. It is a very general review of the benefits of urban agriculture and greenspace including a discussion on the types of ways to grow food in urban areas and the value of that production. It then goes on to describe a myriad of ways that WWRFs can integrate their products into these systems.
Not only the biosolids, but the reclaimed water, the heat, and even potting containers can come from the treatment plant. Talk about a vision for the future!
Article #2 Environmental Value of Applying Compost: Improving Soil Health for Stormwater Management, Contaminated Site Remediation, Ecosystem Restoration, Landscaping and Agriculture is actually a report from EPA on the benefits of using composts (including biosolids composts) and the different ways that biosolids can be used. It is an excellent literature review. It goes over the basic benefits to soils of using compost extending to water and climate benefits. It talks about benefits to crops (yield and health). Focusing on urban areas, there is a big section on compost use in urban agriculture, another on green infrastructure and stormwater management, and contaminated site remediation. See the graphic below:
The 3rd article Risks and benefits associated with urban green space through the lens of environmental justice is co-authored by yours truly and was funded in part by King County. One of the issues that can be raised about getting anywhere near soils in urban areas is the potential for those soils to be contaminated. Not just by shards of glass from broken beer bottles, but from the legacy of leaded paint and gasoline. The problem is, if you don’t go near the soil, you miss out on a whole lot of benefits. See the figure below:
After a discussion of the benefits of green space, we talk about the most common urban soil contaminants, the all over the map guidance on what is actually acceptable and finish with a discussion of the multiple studies that have shown that biosolids (and composts) make the soils both safer and greener.
If you’ve gotten through the first three papers, there is a good chance you are starting to look around for some compost feedstocks. But if you make it, will they come?
To answer that question we go to article #4 Consumer perceptions of the co-benefits of biosolids and carbon sequestration in a fertiliser aimed at the urban retail market. This paper reports on consumer responses to a survey that was conducted in Australia where about 66% of the biosolids produced are applied to farmland. Eight % is made into compost and used primarily for landscaping. The authors note that while there have been surveys of farmers on biosolids acceptance, little work has been done for potential customers in cities. In a truly revolutionary statement they also note that: However, providing adequate information and increased education about these biosolids-derived products may shift initial apprehensions towards more positive attitudes (Borden et al., 2004; Jones et al., 2020). Moreover, the physical appearance of biosolids-derived products also affects their acceptability.
The authors did a two part survey. One involved seeing what sold best at a big box store (no biosolids products but products labeled organic etc) and a consumer survey. The consumer survey. The survey asked readers to choose between a conventional, organic and biosolids based product with different labels on each. Here was the structure of the survey:
The authors found that people will pay more for fertilizers labeled organic or natural. When the biosolids word was included along with the ability to store carbon, people would also pay a little more. If they were heading towards the conventional, they could be talked into biosolids with a lower price point. This is all survey - far from touching and smelling actual products.
The final paper (#5 Biosolids in Western Canada: A Case Study on Public Risk Perception and Factors Influencing Public Attitudes) is also a public opinion survey. This one is based in British Columbia. It has nothing to do with a biosolids based product developed for general home/ urban use. It reports on people’s perceptions of biosolids when Class B is applied next door and when there is no real point of reference. Surveys were sent to residents in Merritt (right next door to the protest signs below) and to Kamloops, where no one had any idea of what biosolids are. I remember when the protests were ongoing. This was not a pleasant moment.
The survey was framed around risk perception. It was not a survey geared towards getting customers. See a snapshot from some of the questions below:
The people in Merritt, near the Nicola Valley site had a greater aversion to the people in Kamloops. I somehow don’t think that was because Kamloops rhymes with ‘poops’. The main take home here from my perspective is that you don’t start by second guessing government regulations. If you want to develop a product for an urban market - you start with works great, smells fine, even looks nice. You don’t start with is this stuff safe?
The first three papers tell you just how great biosolids can be in your backyard. My experience backs this up. Don’t like surveys designed to frighten tell you otherwise. Just let the plants tell their story.
Sally Brown is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Washington, and she is also a columnist and editorial board member for BioCycle magazine.
Do you have information or research to share with MABA members? Looking for other research focus or ideas?
Contact Mary Baker at [email protected] or 845-901-7905. |
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