Virginians Rally Against Maryland's Toxic Sewage Sludge Fertilizer Plans

Amid rising fears of contaminated agriculture and water sources, a coalition in Virginia opposes Maryland's attempt to ship its restricted sewage sludge fertilizer across state lines, highlighting growing national concerns regarding agricultural safety.

In 2023, Maryland’s sewage treatment facilities uncovered alarming levels of “forever chemicals” seeping into the state's wastewater, jeopardizing the safety of fertilizer produced from sewage sludge that is typically spread on agricultural lands. Consequently, Maryland enacted stricter regulations on the use of this contaminated fertilizer to safeguard its food supply and drinking water.

However, Maryland's regulations have led a major sludge-fertilizer company, Synagro, to pivot its strategy, seeking permits to apply this troubled fertilizer in farms across the Virginia border. This move has alarmed a coalition of environmental advocates, fishing organizations, and concerned farmers who fear the potential repercussions. Dean Naujoks from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, a group advocating for clean waterways, expressed his concerns, stressing that if the use of this fertilizer is deemed unsafe in Maryland, it certainly shouldn’t be sent to Virginia farms.

This scenario reflects a troubling trend where states with looser regulations become dumping grounds for hazardous waste. Synagro, which is backed by a Goldman Sachs investment fund, has made significant efforts to gain approval for increased sludge applications in rural Virginia, intensifying the fears of pollution impact on local farms and waterways that lead into the Potomac River.

As protests mount against the interstate transfer of this problematic fertilizer, local stakeholders are calling for stricter oversight and protective measures to ensure the safety of Virginia’s agricultural landscape and its waterways.