Virginia Biosolids Council

VBC joined Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger to celebrate signing of HB1443 at Widewater State Park.

Things have been quiet at the VT-AREC site in Warsaw, VA. The research team were last at the site this past Fall when soybean plant material for Dr. Ian Pepper’s research group was sampled. This sampling was done as part of the second phase of Dr. Pepper’s National Collaborative PFAS Project. The objective of Phase 2 of this project is to examine the potential crop uptake of PFAS from these soils that have been amended with biosolids.

Find out more: https://www.virginiabiosolids.com/evarec-warsaw-study-update/

Farmers use biosolids because they offer a cost‑effective, reliable source of nutrients, improve soil health, and help manage the rising and unpredictable costs of alternative fertilizers, all while increasing crop yields.

Read more: https://www.virginiabiosolids.com/biosolids-101/

All members of the VBC subscribe to a voluntary Code of Good Practice to provide guidance for recycling biosolids in Virginia.

The guidelines seek to capture current best practices by biosolids generators, land application companies and compost manufacturers and encourage them to go beyond the regulations to build good relations with the communities they serve.

Each member has pledged to communicate the Code to its employees and strive to implement its principles throughout its operations.

The Code encourages members to establish their own performance objectives that support the following goals:

-Protecting the environment

-Minimizing adverse social impacts

-Promoting education and awareness.

View a pdf version of the Code:https://www.virginiabiosolids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2020-VBC-Code-of-Good-Practice-.pdf

VBC extends its appreciation to the Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger for approving HB1443 (Lopez) & SB386 (Stuart), which collectively address a meaningful, achievable, and science-based path forward on the issue of PFAS. VBC remains committed to promoting good science, good policy, and good practices as it relates to municipal biosolids.

During the 2026 session, the Virginia General Assembly advanced a coordinated PFAS regulatory pathway. Virginia lawmakers adopted a monitor‑and‑manage framework that provides for testing, reporting, tiered restrictions, and long‑term management planning. The legislation reflects the universal and growing concern about PFAS while attempting to balance environmental protection, its use as a beneficial agricultural use to farmers, and wastewater system feasibility. The key measures are now enrolled and awaiting action by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Read more here: https://www.virginiabiosolids.com/policy-and-rulemaking/

Beneficial reuse of biosolids as organic fertilizers offers important agronomic and economic benefits, but it can also introduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into agricultural soils. Purdue University studies on Progress Farm evaluated PFAS retention in the vadose zone, the area between the earth’s surface and water table, of an agricultural site with a focus on the impact of soil properties and PFAS transport to groundwater and a through runoff event.
Find out more: https://www.virginiabiosolids.com/science-digest/

A new PFAS research project is underway at Virginia Tech’s SVAREC farm in Raphine, VA. Because this site has never received land-applied biosolids, it offers a rare, controlled setting to study how PFAS move in soil and water. The area is specially permitted by VA DEQ to support this important work.

VBC is committed to advancing research on emerging chemicals like PFAS and PFOA. We’re proud to support Dr. Ian Pepper’s national study on how PFAS move in soils after biosolids are applied with data from our test plot with Virginia Tech.

Our members are stepping up too—HRSD already has four PFAS research projects underway and SVAREC has a unique one as well.

Research is essential, but real progress also means reducing PFAS at the source. These chemicals are in everyday products—from clothing and makeup to food packaging. Choosing PFAS-free options whenever possible helps keep them out of our environment."

Biosolids—nutrient-rich organic material recycled from the wastewater treatment process—are widely used to support soil health and crop productivity. VBC is enthusiastically supporting Virginia's recent MOU with EPA , specifically its emphasis on collaboration, stewardship, and enhanced compliance (including attention to potential contaminants such as PFAS) could shape policy and practice by:
● Encouraging responsible integration of biosolids within sustainable agriculture.
● Improving consistency in guidance, training, and compliance communications for applicators and farmers.
● Supporting data sharing and case studies that highlight safe, effective land application.