Board adopts biosolids emergency-storage rule implementing 2024 law on land-application flexibility The board adopted DEQ's amendments to the Virginia pollution abatement (biosolids) regulation to allow preapproved emergency management plans that provide limited, DEQ‑approved deviations for land application during extreme weather, implementing House Bill 870.

Virginia's State Water Control Board just approved new measures to help manage biosolids during extreme weather, balancing flexibility with environmental protection.

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Virginia Senate water subcommittee advances bill to limit PFAS in biosolids The Water Subcommittee voted 3-0 to report a substitute for House Bill 1443 to the Senate Finance Committee after testimony that the measure would set tiered PFAS thresholds (25–50 micrograms/kg annual average), require retesting for spikes at 75 micrograms/kg and create a work group to monitor and tighten standards over time.

Virginia's Senate Water Subcommittee just took a crucial step in tackling harmful "forever chemicals" by advancing a bill that sets strict limits on PFAS in biosolids!

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Subcommittee reports bill clarifying local authority to test biosolids for PFAS HB 1072, recorded in the transcript as '10.72', would clarify local authority to test biosolids for PFAS before land application; the subcommittee heard testimony highlighting a VDH study that found PFAS in 16 drinking‑water sources affecting over 2.5 million residents and voted to report the bill.

Virginia's new bill aims to empower local authorities to test biosolids for harmful 'forever chemicals' like PFAS, impacting millions of residents' drinking water safety.

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Senate committee advances Stewart substitute to restrict PFAS in biosolids amid heavy debate over feasibility and costs A Senate substitute would set combined PFOA/PFOS thresholds (25–50 ppb initially) and require continuous monitoring of biosolids; supporters say the glide path protects farmland and public health, opponents—wastewater utilities and county groups—call the substitute technically and fiscally unworkable. The committee reported the substitute for further consideration.

Virginia's Senate is on the brink of a heated showdown over a bold new measure to limit harmful PFAS in biosolids, as supporters push for urgent action to protect public health and farmland.

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Subcommittee backs bill allowing local PFAS testing of biosolids A Virginia House subcommittee reported HB 1072 with a substitute to let counties and localities test biosolids for PFAS at the point of application, using EPA methods; the change is permissive and does not require DEQ reimbursement. Supporters said local testing protects farms and waterways; municipalities and utilities raised questions about capacity and costs.

Virginia's House subcommittee just took a major step towards safeguarding our farms and waterways by allowing localities to test biosolids for harmful PFAS before they're applied to agricultural land.

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