SB 386 (Stuart) as substituted, would severely limit the practice of land applying biosolids with certain amounts of PFAS for agricultural use across Virginia.
ACTION REQUESTED
- As passive receivers of PFAS chemicals in wastewater, VACo opposes SB 386. This bill would have a large fiscal impact on localities and their wastewater utilities.
- Contact members of the Senate of Virginia now to Oppose SB 386.
KEY POINTS
- Approximately two-thirds of all biosolids generated in Virginia are land applied on farms for nutrients and soil conditioning. The bill could force the shift of large quantities of biosolids away from farms and into landfills or incineration.
- The bill would create logistical challenges in finding landfills willing to accept the large amount of material that would need to be disposed of as well as costs associated with landfilling biosolids, including tipping fees, would rise due to the demand.
- Biosolids incineration in Virginia is difficult because existing capacity is low, and building new facilities is both expensive and time-consuming.
- It is likely that most local governments and wastewater authorities will be impacted by the provisions of this bill.
KEY CONTACT
VACo Contact: James Hutzler