landspreading

The New York Farm Bureau drastically updated its policy position on the practice of landspreading biosolids, which is used as fertilizer. This change comes at the same time the DEC announced more guidelines and testing practices for PFAS “forever chemicals” found in water, soil and air.

Sewage sludge may soon be banned in a second town in Steuben County. The town of Cameron finalized the law and is in the process of a public comment period. The town board will vote on the ban at its June meeting.

PFAS has been linked to health issues, including some cancers, and has been found in waterways adjacent to landspreading in Steuben County. County officials are looking into how to address concerns about contamination.

The waste management company Casella wants to turn its halted sewage sludge operation into a composting business. But town officials say it can’t.

The town of Thurston is being sued for its ban on landspreading, which is the practice of using sewage sludge as fertilizer. Sewage sludge is the byproduct of human and industrial waste produced by wastewater treatment plants.