For decades, sewage sludge — a byproduct of wastewater treatment — has been promoted as a safe, sustainable fertilizer.
But striking evidence shows that spreading sewage sludge can poison farmland, food, and water with toxins like PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), microplastics, and other dangerous household and industrial contaminants.
Recently, the New York Times wrote about Galey & Lord, a textile mill in Society Hill, South Carolina. This mill, for decades, used to take the water that had been used in making its fabrics, treated it in wastewater lagoons, and then gave the sludge to farmers as fertilizer.
However, recent testing has now shown that there are high concentrations of PFAS on the farms where this sludge fertilizer was spread, leading to the first known case of farmland being declared a Superfund cleanup site. This means that the federal government is leading the cleanup of chemicals detected at the sites.
I highly encourage you to read the article, and to join me alongside environmental and public health advocates for the official launch of the Coalition for Sludge Free Land — a new national alliance working to end the land application of sewage sludge and sludge-derived products. The coalition is calling for urgent action to protect water, soil, food, farms, and communities from toxic contamination.
Timely virtual briefing featuring national experts: April 30 @ 2 p.m.
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/5917434413125/WN_LgcuzhAWSK2mO1c_VAZjcw#/registration
Featured speakers:
- Adam Nordell | Campaign Manager at Defend Our Health; Sludge-impacted farmer
- Bill Pluecker | Public Policy Organizer for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Maine State Representative
- Erica Kyzmir-McKeon | Communities and Toxics Senior Attorney at Conservation Law Foundation
- Laura Orlando | Senior Scientist at Just Zero and wastewater expert
Together, these speakers will examine how current sludge management practices are contributing to long-term chemical exposure — particularly in rural and agricultural communities — and what can be done about it.
A growing wave of change is underway nationally:
- Maine became the first state to ban sludge application after widespread PFAS contamination was discovered on farms and in wildlife.
- Connecticut followed in 2024 with its own statewide ban.
- Seven additional states, including Massachusetts, are considering legislation to ban or restrict land application of sewage sludge.
