Virginians Stand Firm Against Maryland's Sewage Sludge Fertilizer

Amid rising contamination fears, a coalition in Virginia is opposing Maryland's plan to export toxic sewage sludge fertilizer, alarming local farmers and conservationists about threats to agriculture and waterways.

In 2023, alarming discoveries emerged from sewage treatment plants in Maryland, revealing the presence of harmful "forever chemicals" in the waste, which is often processed into fertilizer and applied to farmland. To safeguard public health and the integrity of drinking water, Maryland began restricting the use of this sewage sludge-derived fertilizer. Concurrently, Synagro, a prominent supplier of sludge fertilizers, has sought permits to increase the application of this fertilizer on farms in Virginia, heightening concerns among residents.

Environmentalists, fishing organizations, and certain farmers in Virginia are vocally opposing this initiative, perceiving it as a detrimental threat to their agricultural lands and the delicate aquatic ecosystems of the Potomac River. Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network emphasized, “These sewage sludge fertilizers aren’t considered safe for use in Maryland, so sending them to Virginia is clearly unacceptable.”

Virginia’s situation reflects a growing trend across the United States, where states with less stringent regulations risk becoming the deposition sites for contaminated sludge. In Virginia, Synagro, backed by a Goldman Sachs investment fund, is pushing for increased sludge applications in rural areas, igniting opposition among communities concerned about potential contamination of their farms and fisheries. The battle illustrates the widening implications of environmental mismanagement as states seek to navigate the growing crisis of farmland contamination.