Sewage Fertilizer Sellers Push for Legal Protections Amid PFAS Concerns

As concerns over health risks associated with "forever chemicals" in sewage-based fertilizers rise, companies are lobbying Congress for legal protections, amid growing scrutiny of their products.

For decades, Synagro—a company owned by a Goldman Sachs fund—has been profiting from an unexpected source: sewage sludge. This product, commonly referred to as biosolids, is treated and sold as fertilizer for farmers. However, it has recently come under fire due to its potential contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known colloquially as “forever chemicals.” These substances have been linked to severe health issues, such as cancer and birth defects.

Farmers have begun reporting PFAS contamination on their lands, affecting their crops and livestock. Following a recent declaration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which classified certain types of PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, the pressure has mounted on companies like Synagro to address these health concerns.

In response, Synagro is at the forefront of a lobbying effort to secure immunity from lawsuits for companies involved in sludge production and distribution. Documents and interviews reveal that the firm is leveraging its connections to push Congress to restrict the scope of legal actions farmers might take against them for polluted fields. Specifically, they argue that they shouldn't be held accountable for chemicals that were already present in the sludge prior to its processing.

Early indications suggest that their lobbying campaign is gaining traction. Proposed legislation from Senators John Boozman of Arkansas and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming aims to shield companies like Synagro, as well as the wastewater plants that provide the sludge, from legal liability. Moreover, a similar bill has been introduced in the House, underscoring the momentum behind this controversial initiative.