Running a cow-calf operation is no small task for Bobby Maass on his 300-acre grass farm. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Maass returned to Dinwiddie, where he pursued his career off the farm as well as growing his herd from 10 to 75 heifers. His operation is grass fed. He bales hay primarily for […]
The Virginia Biosolids Council presented the VBC 2020 Virtual Informational Session Wednesday, September 23 . Click HERE to view a recording. The webinar featured two presentations on matters associated with wastewater recovery and biosolids recycling. Dr. Greg Evanylo of Virginia Tech, a member of the W4170 research group, reviewed research done by the national research group on […]
Biosolids Partnership Critical to Healthy Turf The Virginia Turfgrass Council and its members promote turfgrass improvement and best management practices by encouraging high quality research, education and engaging in advocacy efforts to ensure quality practices across the Commonwealth. Critical to this effort is understanding soil health – which is why the Council has had a […]
Established in 1972, the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is a wholesale provider of potable water treatment and wastewater recovery operation. Rivanna, which is located in Albemarle County along the Rivanna River, is similar to other regional authorities in the mid-Atlantic, providing both water and wastewater services. Rivanna operates six water treatment facilities and four […]
Betting Ring, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Like many legal terms, the words “heirs property” probably do not mean a lot to most Virginians. This concept and the legal structures that surround it has contributed to the loss of family-owned farm and forestland for decades. Thanks to over a year’s worth of hard […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Multistate Research Committee, known as W4170, recently completed a scientific rebuttal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report issued in November 2018 titled “EPA unable to assess the impact of unregulated pollutants in land-applied biosolids on human health and the environment.” The W4170 is the […]
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man made fluorinated compounds which are used for a variety of applications including industrial processing, fire-fighting foams and numerous consumer products by both industry and manufacturers of consumer products. PFAS have been in commercial use since the 1940’s and are abundant in today’s society. These chemicals are […]
Protecting public health and the waters of Hampton Roads by treating wastewater effectively is the mission of HRSD, created in 1940 by referendum to restore local waters, beaches for recreation and shellfish grounds for harvesting and consumption. Jamie Heisig-Mitchell, Chief of Technical Services, and Chris Wilson, Chief of Process Engineering and Research, said recently, however, […]
The recycling and land application of biosolids on family farms is a productive and beneficial reuse of by-product of an essential public service. Just ask Dr. Wade Thomason, Professor, Grain Crops Extension Specialist, with Virginia Tech, who for years has researched the use of organic nutrient sources to improve crop nutrition while maintaining the principles […]
Recently the U.S. EPA released a statement on whether biosolids (treated sewage sludge) contain SARS-CoV-2 virus and whether biosolids can be land applied safely. The statement says the following: “Existing requirements and guidance help ensure that biosolids are processed, handled, and land-applied in a manner that minimizes the risk of exposure to pathogens, including viruses. […]