Orange County board asks state regulators to test biosolids for forever chemicals

by Shannon Heckt, Virginia Mercury
October 31, 2025

Farmers nationwide often use biosolids — human waste that has been treated by wastewater facilities — as a cheaper, readily available fertilizer option for their soils. But there is a rising concern of PFAS, better known as forever chemicals, being spread on farmland through this waste. Virginia currently does not test biosolids for PFAS – and one county wants it done before they approve more permits.

“The (Orange County Board of Supervisors) understands that PFAS chemicals, even at extremely low levels, can cause significant harm to human health, including various types of cancers and developmental harm to infants and children,” Chairman R. Mark Johnson wrote to the Department of Environmental Quality earlier this month.

In Orange County, community members have been educating their neighbors about the dangers of PFAS in these biosolids and have urged the board to be wary of awarding new permits or renewing old ones before proper testing is done. A recent public hearing on reissuing a permit to apply biosolids on farmland drew dozens of concerned community members to speak against it.

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are chemicals used in many products worldwide such as shampoo, clothing, paint, and non-stick cookware. They end up in wastewater and the leftover biosolids. When the biosolids are used as fertilizer, those chemicals then can leech into crops, soil and waterways.

Virginia does have requirements for biosolid use on farmland to be set back from wells and homes. However the state does not test its biosolids for PFAS so Orange County leaders are asking DEQ to look into how the chemicals may show up in a project proposed by a company that transforms waste into resources.

Synagro manages biosolid storage in Virginia as well as biosolid applications in various counties. The company recently proposed an application for 2,500 acres in Orange County; some of the land is near Pamunkey Creek. The chairman’s letter said there have already been PFAS noted in the creek. The letter goes on to say that the board is not against the use of biosolids for fertilizer, however they want to ensure farmers are aware of potential contaminants. 

The letter calls on DEQ to test Synagro biosolids for PFAS, for the test results to be publicly shared, and for state regulators to prohibit any biosolids that do contain PFAS from being used in the county.

“Given the irreversible nature of PFAS contamination and the growing evidence of its harmful effects, we believe these conditions represent the minimum necessary protections for Orange County’s residents, farmland, animals, farmers, water resources to include drinking water and the environment overall,” Johnson’s letter said.

The board asks DEQ to deny the permit renewal if their requests cannot be met.

“Our farmers deserve to know what they’re putting on their land, and our citizens deserve protection from forever chemicals.”

The public is invited to share their thoughts on Synagro’s proposal with DEQ’s Blue Ridge regional office through Nov. 7.

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

SUPPORT

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.