October 2024 - Executive Director’s Report to MABA Members
There is an African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And although its origins have been analyzed and studied, its meaning is clear, and it is at the heart of my message to the board and the members this month. I’ll share herein the wealth of activities and initiatives taking place in the MABA committees and leadership, and the great momentum they are building to push further into our collective biosolids future and path ahead.
The Communications Committee has led the way to organize a National Biosolids Communication Workgroup consisting of multiple regional biosolids organizations across the country to develop the National Communication Guidance: PFAS and Biosolids Management communication document to share with their respective members to assist with their communications about PFAS & Biosolids.
Additionally, the Communications committee has created a MABA Member Communications survey to get feedback from the members about the communication efforts and help develop their next steps for the year ahead. They are also working to create new and revised FAQ and fact sheet documents for the MABA members on the website, and have so far created “What are biosolids?” and “Information for farmers about PFAS in biosolids”. The Committee will also be introducing “MABA Merch” in the months ahead, for members to have a chance to purchase clothing and other products with the MABA and MABF logos.
The MABA Membership Committee has worked diligently to reach out to current public utility members to touch base, and learn more about their experiences with and services needed from MABA. They’ve also brought on board 4 new public utility members and 3 new sponsors. They have worked to offer reduced membership fees as an incentive to bring new members on board, and are requesting the members’ assistance in identifying additional potential members with the Public Utility Leads survey.
MABA’s Reg/Leg Committee has stayed abreast of many developments across the region, as well as nationally, to keep MABA’s leadership and members aware of the updates and information available from a regulatory and legislative perspective. Recently, information gathered has resulted in the creation of a letter in support of legislation in Pennsylvania to ban PFAS in some consumer products. Additionally, the committee has worked to remain updated on regulations and execution of new regulations in New York and recently in Maryland. Stay tuned for a full Reg/Leg email update in the weeks ahead.
The MABA Programming Committee hosted an incredibly successful 2024 Summer Symposium in Richmond, Virginia in July, resulting in additional net revenue for the organization while providing rich education and networking opportunities for the members in the region. They are charging ahead with the September 24 webinar, Biosolids End Use Success Stories, and the Communications Committee is working with them to further share these success stories through the October 23 webinar with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Another webinar is planned for November, as well as the opening of the Call for Abstracts for the 2025 Summer Symposium, taking place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in July.
And finally, I continue to deliver presentations to different groups to provide a comprehensive update on PFAS and Biosolids, from a regulatory, legislative and research perspective. Recently, I presented at the Society of Women Environmental Professional’s PFAS Seminar at Eurofins Laboratories in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at Tri-Con, in Ocean City, Maryland, as well as the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association annual conference in September, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And I will be presenting at the NJWEA Technology Transfer Seminar in October, in Eatontown, New Jersey. I provided the same session via webinar to the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) on October 1, and will provide it again for the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) on November 6. These speaking opportunities have afforded me the opportunity to share critical information and updates to the biosolids community and the communities we serve, and spread the word about MABA and MABF.
In NPR’s analysis of the aforementioned African proverb, they spoke to Neal Lester, a humanities professor at Arizona State University who specializes in African-American literary studies. Lester stated, “The Africanist perspective is more about community, it's more about collaboration. It's less about what we can do individually." And this essence of the meaning of the proverb is in line with this message to the MABA board and members, the region’s biosolids community. There is an incredible amount of energy and work taking place in the MABA community and the biosolids community in our region right now, and I invite you to get on board and get involved to press forward, further, together.
If you are interested in learning more about MABA and MABF, or setting up some time to talk or get together, please reach out to me at [email protected] or 845-901-7905. |
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Biosolids NewsClips - January 7, 2025
NewsClips is brimming with updates from across the biosolids and wastewater industries. This month’s edition highlights a mix of innovation and ongoing challenges, from advancements in waste-to-energy technology to the persistent concerns surrounding PFAS contamination. Notable stories include cutting-edge research on converting biosolids into renewable energy and international efforts to address “forever chemicals” in wastewater.
As a reminder, MABA, together with sis biosolids organizations nationwide, developed the National Communication Guidance: PFAS and Biosolids Management document. This resource, shared with members in previous months, is designed to help navigate these discussions and provide strategies for effective communication within the communities you serve.
This edition also features regulatory updates, including Washington’s environmental review of biosolids management and Oregon’s push for PFAS-free agriculture. On the innovation front, there’s an article about research at Argonne National Laboratory on turning sludge into valuable products and the deployment of waste-to-energy solutions in the Philippines.
As always, MABA is committed to keeping members informed and engaged. If you have biosolids news to share or would like to join the Communications Committee, please contact Mary Baker at 845-901-7905 or [email protected].
Biosolids News
as of January 3, 2025
MABA Region
Virginia water regulators begin the process of identifying PFAS sources
Richmond, VA (25 Nov 2024) - Following a law the legislature passed this year, Virginia’s water regulators are beginning a process to identify sources of chemicals known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which were found above regulatory limits in drinking water in 28 water systems across the state. The difficulty for groundwater wells, is that the source could be biosolids spread on agricultural land as fertilizers or other activity.
Seaside Heights to Demolish, Rebuild Generator Complex at Water Plant
Brick, NJ (2 Dec 2024) - Seaside Heights officials are taking the first steps toward embarking on what is being touted as an electrical resiliency project at the borough’s water treatment plant, which will include the demolition of some equipment and its reconstruction. Upgrades to the sludge handling process include demolition of the existing sludge handling system and construction of a new sub-surface dual-chambered sludge metering and wet well structure with underground piping. This process will also consist of service connections, site restoration, and accessory equipment.
Schuylkill residents demand end to ‘urine smell’ from surrounding biosolids facilities
Schuylkill County, PA (4 Dec 2024) - All three county commissioners, representatives from local municipalities, and the state were present at the meeting to support residents’ fight against the prevailing stench. The DEP held a hearing last Thursday on the biosolids regulatory process at Tremont Municipal Building about five Schuylkill County facilities. Each of the facilities have come under fire for nuisance odors in the past, according to Roger Bellas, a program manager with DEP’s Waste Management Program.
Their Fertilizer Poisons Farmland. Now, They Want Protection From Lawsuits.
New York, NY (6 Dec 2024) - For decades, a little-known company now owned by a Goldman Sachs fund has been making millions of dollars from the unlikely dregs of American life: sewage sludge. The company, Synagro, sells farmers treated sludge from factories and homes to use as fertilizer. But that fertilizer, also known as biosolids, can contain harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS linked to serious health problems including cancer and birth defects.
Village of Massena weighs sludge removal expense
Massena, NY (6 Dec 2024) - The rising cost of sludge disposal for the village of Massena has led Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller to seek alternatives. One such alternative would be for the village to invest in their own system to remove the sludge, but that would cost over a million dollars potentially, Miller said. Casella Waste Systems currently handles the sludge removal currently to the tune of $100,000 per year. Miller said at a recent village board meeting that he sat down with representatives from Casella to discuss the current agreement, at which time he was informed the cost would be going up.
An $81M project underway at UAJA will turn waste into renewable energy. Here’s how
College Township, PA (12 Dec 2024) - An $81 million project is underway at the University Area Joint Authority that, when complete, will be able to turn waste into renewable energy and help generate revenue. UAJA, located at 1576 Spring Valley Road in College Township, is constructing the system in partnership with Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions — a leading national equipment supplier for wastewater technology — that will introduce a complete anaerobic digestive solution to the plant’s received waste, allowing for it to be turned into renewable natural gas.
Study points to farmland as possible source of PFAS in fish
Mayo, MD (11 Dec 2024) - A mostly Pennsylvania-based study of smallmouth bass, a popular gamefish, found that the family of chemicals known PFAS — officially called per– and polyfluoroalkyl substances — build up in parts of the fish. Those parts are not normally eaten, though, making them safe for the dinner plate. Though researchers stress that follow-up research is necessary, they suspect PFAS are running off farm fields and into waterways from the use of pesticides and the application of biosolids from sewage treatment plants that are used as fertilizer.
Steuben County hosts public meeting on PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in sewage sludge land application
Steuben County, NY (12 Dec 2024) - The Steuben County Legislature recently held a discussion on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS “forever chemicals” in sewage sludge land application. Sewage sludge, also called biosolids, is used on crops and farmlands as a type of fertilizer. It is a combination of human and industrial waste that comes from wastewater treatment plants. Legislators are trying to decide what to do about this process of landspreading in the county to deal with contamination concerns from its residents and municipalities.
The E.P.A. Promotes Toxic Fertilizer. 3M Told It of Risks Years Ago.
New York, NY (27 Dec 2024) - In early 2000, scientists at 3M, the chemicals giant, made a startling discovery: High levels of PFAS, the virtually indestructible “forever chemicals” used in nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and many other products were turning up in the nation’s sewage. The researchers were concerned. The data suggested that the toxic chemicals made by 3M, were fast becoming ubiquitous in the environment. The company’s research had already linked exposure to birth defects, cancer, and more.
Nationally
‘PFAS contamination of their land, water, blood and food’: farmers demand stricter PFAS regulation in sewage sludge
Atlanta, GA (27 Nov 2024) - A judge ruled earlier this month that lawsuits against the City of Calhoun and a number of manufacturers allegedly responsible for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in their waters can move forward. The City of Calhoun was sued in March of 2024 by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of North Georgia residents affected by PFAS pollution in their waters. Affected residents say they were not properly informed of the PFAS in the sewage sludge waters, which were dumped on their land.
Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestock
Johnson County, TX (2 Dec 2024) - Since early 2023, the Grandview rancher has watched over 35 of his 150 Black Angus cattle perish. July was especially brutal. In the span of a week, Coleman lost a 3-week-old calf; a cow; and Little Red, a strong bull full of spirit, leaving Coleman with nothing but unanswered questions. Months before, the men said they noticed a gag-inducing sewage smell drifting from smoking piles of fertilizer on their neighbor’s property. Heavy rains then washed some of the fertilizer onto their land. Soon after, they said they found fish floating dead in the stock ponds their livestock drink from.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Impact Livelihood Of North Texas Farmers
One State’s War on Forever Chemicals in Milk
Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce “forever chemicals” in sewage-based fertilizer
Decatur Co. Commissioners Consider Revised Biosolids Ordinance
Greensburg, IN (4 Dec 2024) - Decatur County Commissioners held the first reading on a revised biosolids ordinance this week. County Attorney Chad Smith presented the revamped ordinance and said commissioners decided to make changes following public comments and additional research. The revised ordinance calls for required testing of substances for a maximum PFA level of 50 micrograms per kilogram for anything spread. The owner or supplier would pay for the testing – no exceptions.
The county biosolids ordinance has been revised
How a factory in Enfield is working to get forever chemicals out of crops
Enfield, ME (3 Dec 2024) - A factory in Enfield is working to get forever chemicals out of Maine's soil. "This PFAS problem has been such a heartbreak and such a crisis for Maine. I think a lot of other places too but Maine is out front in addressing it," said Frederick Horton, President and Founder of Standard Biocarbon Corporation. "So far, very few solutions have been offered to farmers. Farmers that have contaminated soil are offered in some cases to buy back their land but not an actual treatment for the soil." According to Horton, if PFAS is found in soil it's likely because at some point biosolids were spread on the land to fertilize it.
Turning waste into building blocks
Coral Gables, FL (4 Dec 2024) - The University of Miami is advancing sustainable construction research through a partnership with the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department and major cement manufacturers, including Titan and Cemex. Led by Ali Ghahremaninezhad, associate professor of civil and architectural engineering, the team is investigating how lime sludge—a byproduct of municipal water treatment—can be used in concrete materials.
Wastewater treatment expenses climb in Amherst
Amherst, MA (4 Dec 2024) - The Department of Public Works is seeking money to pay for a study to determine if gaseous chlorine should continue to disinfect wastewater, as a growing number of discharge violations at the town’s wastewater treatment plant occur. The Town Council on Monday was presented with $845,000 in requests, including using $575,000 from retained earnings in the sewer enterprise fund, increasing the sewer enterprise fund by $250,000 and upping the solid waste enterprise fund by $20,000 to move forward with projects and cost overruns, as well as to cover the rising costs of sludge removal.
Enterprise to discuss biosolids placement on local farm
Enterprise, OR (6 Dec 2024) - Cornerstone Farms Joint Venture will discuss an agreement for the placement of biosolids from the Enterprise waste treatment facility during the Enterprise City Council meeting on Monday. The city has been looking for farmers willing to accept the biosolids — the dry matter gleaned from human waste at the sewage treatment plant — since last year when Public Works foreman Spencer Shelton said that he had been informed that the county’s Ant Flat Landfill is running out of room for the biosolids. The landfill still has some room, but the city is being urged to find another solution.
City will pay farm to take biosolids
Growing population prompts Kalispell City Council to explore wastewater, biosolids options
Kalispell, MT (9 Dec 2024) - Kalispell City Council will review Monday options for upgrading the city’s wastewater treatment facility and new biosolids disposal methods to keep up with a growing population. In 2022, the city disposed of 765 tons of dry biosolids. Using that figure, the report projected that by 2044, the city would be disposing of 1,260 tons annually. Biosolids, otherwise known as sewage sludge, are generated from treating wastewater. Currently, 70% of the city’s biosolids are sent to Glacier Gold Composting and the rest is sent to the Flathead County Landfill. Composted biosolids can enrich soil and replace commercial fertilizers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Taint Rural California Drinking Water, Far From Known Sources
Washington, DC (11 Dec 2024) - Juana Valle never imagined being scared to drink water from her tap or eat fresh eggs and walnuts when she bought her 5-acre farm in San Juan Bautista, California, three years ago. This year, researchers found worrisome levels of chemicals called PFAS in her well water. Exposure to PFAS, a group of thousands of compounds, has been linked to health problems including cancer, decreased response to vaccines, and low birth weight, according to a federally funded report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Valle worries that eating food from her farm and drinking the water, found also to contain arsenic, are to blame for health issues she’s experienced recently.
Cromwell sewage plant study: Sludge filter leak may be contributing to foul odors
New Haven, CT (13 Dec 2024) - After years of residents' complaints about a powerful, fetid smell they say emanates from the wastewater treatment plant at 245 Main St., an assessment has identified two issues that may be causing the problem. Actions taken included air sampling, hydrogen sulfide monitoring, offsite olfactory measurements, an airflow survey, liquid sampling and odor dispersion calculations. Among the issues found were elevated hydrogen sulfide levels near the sludge storage building due to a leak in the biotrickling filter system.
Stakeholder Meeting Facilitation for Issues Related to PFAS and Biosolids: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report
Sausalito, CA (23 Dec 2024) - The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has issued a December 2024 Report titled: Stakeholder Meeting Facilitation for Issues Related to PFAS and Biosolids (“Report”). See EPA Document No. 820S24002. In discussing the purpose of the Report, there is an acknowledgment that an increase in concern over PFAS in municipal biosolids has: …created challenges and uncertainties for publicly owned treatment works that rely on the three main biosolids management options: land application, disposal in landfills, and incineration.
Brewster biosolids contract renewal includes new liability language
Brewster, WA (26 Dec 2024) - The contract renewal for disposal of city biosolids drew more than passing interest at the Dec. 19 city council meeting when new language added to the document exposed the city to more risk than the previous version. The Boulder Park Biosolids Contract is a five-year agreement between King County and many communities that collects biosolids from treatment plants and transports them to designated farmland on the Waterville Plateau. “It’s a beneficial use plan to put the biosolids from our treatment plant – and lots of other treatment plants - up on the flat toward Mansfield,” said Public Works Director Lee Webster.
Hamilton set to spend nearly $15M for wastewater plant upgrades
Hamilton, OH (30 Dec 2024) - Improvements in the biosolids facility at the Hamilton Water Reclamation Plant will replace costly equipment that will eventually save the city money, administrators say. Hamilton Senior Mechanical Engineer Kevin Kessler said the $14.8 million estimated cost is driven by complicated and big equipment. In the end, though, it’s projected to save the city money as it pays to have biosolids with less water hauled away, he said.
Will Vt. address agricultural use of sludge laden with ‘forever chemicals?’
Montpelier, VT (31 Dec 2024) - Will the state of Vermont crackdown on spreading sewage sludge on Vermont farms? A recent report shows most of this waste is contaminated with PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” that could be entering the food supply. While the agricultural practice is rare in Vermont, it remains legal. We already know that many common consumer products -- food packaging, furniture, and clothing -- have been traced to PFAS. However, there are growing concerns that some of the foods we consume can also be traced back to the waste stream in the form of PFAS-laden sludge or biosolids from waste treatment plants.
Gatesville wastewater treatment plant gets $7M upgrades for enhanced sustainability, reliability'
Gatesville, TX (1 Jan 2025) - “It comes down to being able to sustain what you already have,” Jane Vaughn, a resident of Coryell County, said. With sustainability comes the need for significant improvements. That time has arrived for the Stillhouse Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant in Gatesville. The plant serves the City of Gatesville and supports several state-run correctional facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). These facilities, located just north of town, house thousands of inmates.
After failed attempts, Wisconsin lawmakers will try again to address PFAS
Madison, WI (3 Jan 2025) - Wisconsin lawmakers plan to reintroduce proposals to address PFAS contamination after bills failed in the last session. Republican lawmakers worked with Gov. Tony Evers to set aside $125 million under the current two-year budget to address pollution from the harmful chemicals. The Democratic governor and GOP-controlled Legislature have been at odds over how to spend the funds. Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto, said he plans to reintroduce a bill to tackle PFAS contamination by the end of January.
Internationally
Netherlands' landfills for sludge rapidly filling up
Amsterdam, Netherlands (26 Nov 2024) - The PFAS pollution in Dutch ports and rivers is so great that landfills for contaminated sludge are filling up much faster than expected, according to research by Trouw. Rijkswaterstaat warned that building new underwater landfills could easily take ten years. The Netherlands introduced stricter standards for PFAS, chemical substances that are harmful to humans and the environment, in 2019. Since then, twice as much sludge has been entering the two Rijkswaterstaat landfills in the Ketelmeer on the Maasvlakte and in the Hollandsch Diep.
Furious farmer in sewage protest as he slams Keir Starmer's 'stinky' tax raid
London, England (29 Nov 2024) - A farmer has canceled deliveries of sewage sludge in protest against Sir Keir Starmer's "stinky" inheritance tax policy. Social media influencer Tom Martin, 44, took the action which he believes is preferred to obstructing roads with tractors and upsetting Britons. He said: "To be honest, I don't like letting anyone down, but I think it's a better protest than blocking roads or upsetting the public. Maybe Sir Keir will smell the dissatisfaction with this stinky tax policy."
Controversial Biosolids Storage Proposal Ignites Community Alarm
Adelaide Metcalfe, Ontario, Canada (13 Dec 2024) - A significant debate has emerged over the proposed sewage biosolids storage and distribution facility at Kerwood Road. Local community members, led by Heather Horning from Citizens Concerned About Biosolids, express their concerns about this initiative, which, if implemented, could set a troubling precedent for Ontario. Sewage biosolids consist of treated sewage sludge from industrial and hospital waste that is used as fertilizer, containing various chemicals.
Hidden threats to soil revealed in sewage sludge research
Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom (12 Dec 2024) - The latest research from The James Hutton Institute suggests that hidden threats from the agricultural use of contaminated sewage sludge could be contributing to already diminished poor soil health. Treated sewage sludge products (or biosolids) are the byproducts of wastewater treatment and are commonly used in agriculture as a cost-effective source of nutrients and organic matter. Around 87% of the 3.6 million tonnes of sewage sludge produced in the UK is recycled to agricultural land. This sludge is not treated for many potentially hazardous contaminants that enter our wastewater system through personal or industrial activities, including microplastics, persistent organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals – allowing them a pathway to re-enter the environment.
Winnipeg getting $150M more from Ottawa for North End sewage plant
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (18 Dec 2024) - The City of Winnipeg is getting $150 million in additional funding from the federal government to help with upgrades to the North End sewage treatment plant. The funding was included in the federal fall economic statement released in Ottawa on Monday. "To build the houses Canadians need, we need to invest in the capacity for communities to grow and densify. Adequate water and solid waste infrastructure is essential to making this happen," the statement said.
Use of biosolids on Quebec farm fields needs more public scrutiny, say regional mayors
Montreal, Quebec, Canada (20 Dec 2024) - Regional mayors near Sherbrooke, Que., are asking the provincial government to launch new public consultations on monitoring the spread of fertilizer made from residue, including treated sewage sludge. Eighteen municipalities that make up the Val-Saint-François regional county municipality unanimously adopted a resolution on the matter at the mayors' council meeting on Dec. 11.
The Quebec government had proposed new regulations aimed to better oversee the use of fertilizing residual materials (FRM) which come from treating municipal or industrial wastewater and serve as fertilizer in fields.
First of its kind faecal sludge treatment plant begins functioning in Amta
Kolkata, India (21 Dec 2024) - The first of its kind fecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP) in rural Bengal that has come up at Dharapara under Jhamtia gram panchayat in Amta II block in Howrah on a 3 bigha land has started functioning. Panchayat samitis of Amta I , Amta II, Udaynarayanpur and Bagnan I blocks have been covered under this project . Amta II block panchayat samiti has executed the project with due approval of the state Panchayats and Rural Development (P &RD) department. The cost for the project with capacity of 12 KLW is Rs 1.89 crore. “The faecal waste will be collected from septic tanks and wells of households and then transported by cesspool vans and dumped at this site. The FSTP will automatically process the sludge into organic fertilizer,” said Amta MLA Sukanta Paul. |
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