Biosolids

Why should I be concerned?

PFAS have recently been recognized as contaminants in agriculture and are believed to largely be entering soil through the application of biosolids, industrial sludges, and ashes. For decades PFAS containing sludges were marketed to farmers as a safe and cost-effective source of fertilization. While biosolids have never been permitted in USDA organic production, land that is in production now, organic and conventional, may be contaminated without the knowledge of the current landowner, or the organic certifier of the operation.

Biosolids, or treated sewage sludge, are produced from wastewater treatment processes and can be beneficially used or disposed of. Section 405(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires EPA to review sewage sludge regulations to identify any additional pollutants that may occur in biosolids and to set regulations for pollutants identified in biosolids if sufficient scientific evidence shows they may harm human health or the environment.

The EPA committed in the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap to conduct a biosolids risk assessment for two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), in biosolids. The assessment is currently underway.

Is there funding to test my property?

Yes - Maine Farmland Trust and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is launching a new PFAS Emergency Relief Fund to support farmers impacted by potential PFAS contamination.

The fund is designed to help pay for initial PFAS testing on farms that choose to do their own testing and to provide short-term income replacement for farms that the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has identified as having high test results. This fund will serve as a safety net, providing interim support from initial PFAS testing until they can access Maine DACF’s longer-term support programs. Any Maine farmer dealing with PFAS contamination is eligible to enroll, regardless of whether or not a farm has worked directly with either of the organizations. Check out the fund here.

Contact us for remediation inquiries.