Today is Earth Day. It is a time for all citizens to evaluate our connection with the Earth. It’s a very special day for people like me, whose job is centered on protecting and enhancing our natural environment. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth”, a perspective of optimism following a challenging year impacted by […]
The Council’s Code of Good Practice has been providing guiding principles to its members for more than a decade. The Code received a thorough review in 2020, which resulted in what the Council’s membership consider to be valuable and significant amendments. This annual report is intended to provide a progress report on how the Council’s […]
The Weatherly family has a long history in the farming industry. The Weatherly farm was started in the 1930s by Scott Weatherly’s grandfather. After being passed down to Scott’s father, Scott joined his father in farming in 1986 and then took over the farm in 2012. The farm, spanning over 130 acres in the City […]
The Board of Directors of the Virginia Biosolids Council (VBC) established a Code of Good Practice to provide guidance for its members on the production and beneficial recycling of biosolids in Virginia. The VBC Board requires the Council to report on its progress annually. The Code provides guidelines for municipal facilities and contractors to go […]
During its annual meeting in December 2020, the membership of the Virginia Biosolids Council approved modifications to its Code of Good Practice, which was established years ago to provide guidance to its membership on quality and performance objectives on the production and use of biosolids. One of the changes approved was its continued commitment to […]
Wastewater surveillance has shown success in monitoring for COVID-19 outbreaks, based on ongoing initiatives underway in Charlottesville and the Hampton Roads area. Two VBC members – Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority – are at the forefront of this work. This work could prove even more valuable for predicting outbreaks […]
In 2019, approximately 134,000 dry tons of biosolids was beneficially used as a soil amendment on farms and forested lands in Virginia. This represents a little more than was used in Virginia in 2018, and slightly less than applied on farms and forests in 2018. This year – 2020 – based on data provided by […]
Recently, in a memo from David P. Ross, Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), clarification was provided to the land application of Exceptional Quality (Class A) biosolids. According to the memo, its purpose is “to provide EPA’s interpretation of 40 CFR § 503.10, specifically §§ 503.10(e), (f), and (g), regarding whether certain […]
Creamfield Farms is about 4,000 acres of row crops, primarily corn, soybeans, and wheat, with rape, canola seed, grain sorghum and hay. Creamfield’s land extends across state lines into North Carolina. Like many of today’s farmers, Grayson Kirby, manager of Creamfield Farms, focuses his attention on research and technology to guide the management direction of […]
Richmond, VA – The Virginia Biosolids Council hosted a virtual informational session on Wednesday, September 23, featuring national experts who highlighted research on wastewater recovery and biosolids recycling. Dr. Greg Evanylo, a member of the W4170 multistate workgroup, presented the group’s research-based rebuttal to the U.S. EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on its […]