On March 20, 2024, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works convened a hearing into the impacts of designating PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The hearing underscored two indisputable facts. First, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is taking an unprecedented step of designating […]
In October 2023, Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences welcomed Dr. Vijay Chaganti as a new faculty member. As an assistant professor, Dr. Chaganti brings expertise in byproduct use and management, with a focus on research and extension responsibilities. Dr. Chaganti arrived at Virginia Tech after serving as a research scientist at the […]
In celebration of Women’s History Month, VBC turns its attention to the remarkable women who are breaking barriers and driving innovation in industries often overlooked. We recently spoke with Kendra Sveum, Director of Water Reclamation, a pioneering figure in the biosolids industry. As a woman at the forefront of this vital sector, Kendra embodies resilience, […]
Published in Virginia Mercury February 23, 2024 By: Charlie Paullin Legislation to set up a state process to identify sources of high levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” is moving swiftly through the General Assembly. The bills from Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, both passed their own chamber and are on track […]
Storage The legislation supported by the Virginia Biosolids Council to fix the storage issue during extreme weather events which prevent land application has passed the House and Senate and is making its way to the Governor. House Bill 870 (Bulova) passed the House floor on January 30 by a vote of 100-0 and passed the Senate […]
In 2018 and 2019, Virginia suffered through one of its wettest periods in history. Richmond had 190 days of measurable precipitation and a record-setting 63.5 inches of rain in 2019. For those who manage biosolids – either at the municipal facility or by recyclers and contractors, excessive rainfall impacts can result in operational challenges and restrict […]
Every year when the Virginia Biosolids Council reports on its progress in its Code of Good Practice Annual Report, odor is typically, by volume, the number one complaint received by the Department of Environmental Quality. The VBC reported a total of five biosolids-related complaints in 2022. Several years ago, the U.S. EPA compiled a report on […]
In 2022, Virginia farmers who choose to use biosolids received approximately 115,000 tons on 41,600 acres of cropland, pasture, and forestland. In addition to providing an incredibly beneficial product for row crops, pastures, hay lands, and forests, biosolids use in agriculture provides an alternative to filling up Virginia’s landfill space and can be vital in […]
Fall harvest has come and gone, and this means a next step for the VBC research at the Eastern Virginia AREC Research Plot. This plot is being used to examine the impact of the land application of biosolids and PFAS on soils. The research is being included in a national PFAS study conducted by Dr. […]
Jim Ippolito, a professor at Colorado State University, is an expert on the years of work on biosolids and its benefits. He and a colleague, Ken Barbarick, recently reviewed 45 years of biosolids land application research. The research was published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society […]