Spectrum News 1 reports that a retired veteran in Steuben County can no longer drink water from his well as it has been contaminated by the spread of sewage sludge or the byproduct of human waste. The Sierra Club conducted tests on his drinking water and revealed high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”
This is part of an ongoing sewage sludge investigation that is examining the complex PFAS problem.
While sewage sludge is a common fertilizer for farms, as biosolids improve soil nutrients at a lower cost compared to commercial fertilizers, environmental advocates are bringing to light the potential negative health consequences. For instance, exposure to PFAS has been linked to health issues, such as increased risk of cancer and impacts on fertility.
Health concerns are also in contention with the New York State climate goals. New York aims to increase the use of biosolids from 22% to 57% by 2050 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as 12% of it comes from the waste management sector.
