Here are some definitions to help you understand this important article.
VADEQ – Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
PFAS – PFAS, which stands for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” refers to a group of synthetic chemicals that can be found in bio-solids, essentially treated sewage sludge. They are a concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks; they are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in nature and can accumulate in bio-solids when wastewater is treated at treatment plants.
This information comes from the VA Twin Rivers Watermen’s Assoc.
Bio-solids on farmland come from sewage treatment plants that all have PFAS, forever chemicals. VA watermen and the Oyster and Seafood industry in the NNK are all concerned that this continuing practice will eventually contaminate our seafood and water even more. These high concentrations of PFAS come from industrial plants into the sewage system and stay in the sludge forever, eventually being spread onto farmland where it runs into our creeks, streams, rivers, and bay. PFAS are proven to travel down and laterally into our waterways and well water. What is different this time is that the company selling it to the farmers (Synagro) cannot use it in Maryland anymore, but it’s okay with VADEQ to dump it here. The Potomac River Keepers have proven what sewage plants in MD this sludge comes from and has alerted us.
- Maryland and other states (Maine and Michigan) are addressing severe water and farmland pollution from the PFAS chemicals in these bio-solids. MD temporarily blocked applications on farms until research and assessment was done, Now only the highest content of PFAS called Level 4 are banned. Synagro is now planning to dump these in the NNK as well as 6000 acres in Essex right next to the Rappahannock and has filed new permit requests. VA DEQ allows this to happen.
- VADEQ has an open comment period on this permit VPA00835 11 Dec to 10 January for Westmoreland Co residents; we can voice our objections. If 25 or more of us submit our objections we can force a public hearing where we can all attend to voice our objections.
- Some facts:
- -Maine, Michigan, and now Maryland require the bio-solids to be tested first and only the concentrations of PFAS are banned. Texas and other states are also addressing these issues of polluting land and waterways.
- -Research PFAS pollution from Bio-solids; every result is bad news.
- -The stuff that Synagro plans to bring into Westmoreland and Essex is from the Level 4 dirtiest polluted plants in MD, that MD will not allow on its farms.
4. What to Do? – Send an email to VA DEQ email address alayna.anamoah@deq.virginia.gov. State that you are a Westmoreland Co resident and that you object to this Permit No. VPA00835 and request a public hearing. Copy and paste anything else you want from this article.
Posted 12-16-24