Wall Street-backed Corporation Seeks to Expand Spreading of PFAS-laden Sewage Sludge on Commonwealth’s Farmland
Washington, DC – January 17 – Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) and Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) are calling on Virginia’s environmental regulators to halt the expansion of the use of sewage sludge contaminated with PFAS – toxic “forever” chemicals – as fertilizer in Virginia, Nancy Stoner, PRKN President, announced today.
Stoner said, “We are demanding that Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality deny an application to expand spreading of sewage sludge on farms on the Northern Neck that only worsens potential contamination of the environment with toxic forever chemicals. The potential harm from this use is clear and violates Virginia’s Pollution Abatement Act; the permitted expansion must be stopped. We are gratified that DEQ has at least agreed to a public hearing on this permit, so that all interested parties can express their opinions.”
“Synagro’s application to expand operations is a perfect opportunity for Virginia DEQ to begin appropriately regulating PFAS in sewage sludge.” said CLA’s Staff Attorney, Kennedi Fichtel. Fichtel continued, “the science is no longer considered emerging; we now know that land-application of PFAS-laden sewage sludge contaminates soil, our waterways, and endangers human health.”
This application to expand the use of contaminated sewage sludge in Westmoreland County not only poses a risk to the public health and the environment, but if granted, would be a violation of the Virginia Pollution Abatement Act (VPA). The VPA gives DEQ authority to terminate Synagro’s permit, and reissue it with appropriate PFAS-based conditions. With the recent release of EPA’s draft risk assessment on PFAS in biosolids, it is clearer now more than ever that it is DEQ’s responsibility to protect the public health by, at the very least, rejecting Synagro’s application for expansion of this dangerous practice.
Studies conducted on the toxic effects of PFAS have linked them to numerous diseases, including kidney and testicular cancer, liver malfunction, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, and ulcerative colitis; other health effects include developmental harm to fetuses and infants, such as lower birth weight and size. PFAS is also linked to obesity, decreased immune response to vaccines, reduced hormone levels, delayed puberty, and neurogenerative disease.
Synagro is seeking approval from DEQ to expand its business of land-applying solid waste from sewage treatment plants as fertilizer on farmlands in Westmoreland, Essex, Culpeper, Dinwiddie and Chesterfield counties, among others. Last year, DEQ approved the company’s expansion of the practice elsewhere in the Commonwealth and the Potomac Watershed, including in Frederick County.
Synagro reports sourcing sludge, marketed as “biosolids” to farmers, from 36 different sewage treatment plants in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. Records obtained from DEQ, Maryland Department of Environment, and the treatment plant operators, reveal that at least 24 of those plants are producing biosolids contaminated by bioaccumulative, toxic PFAS chemicals.
Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper, concluded, “Everyone – farmers using the contaminated fertilizers, watermen who harvest oysters and other shellfish, and consumers of the food grown there – deserve to be assured that DEQ takes its job seriously and that it will deny this unacceptable expansion of application of toxic chemicals as fertilizer.”
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About Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with three regional Waterkeeper branches: Potomac Riverkeeper, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, and Shenandoah Riverkeeper. Our mission is to protect the public’s right to clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and their tributaries. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment.
About Chesapeake Legal Alliance
Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through the provision of free legal services and education for community members. Our mission is to protect Bay community members’ rights to clean water for drinking, recreating, fishing, and more. We work to amplify environmental justice community voices, educate the public on their rights, and advocate for a healthy environment for all.
For more information, visit our website.
