Orange County urges state to strengthen biosolids testing amid PFAS concerns

Orange County, Virginia – Orange County officials are calling on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to strengthen oversight of biosolids, urging the state to require testing for PFAS and other long-lasting contaminants that have raised national alarm over potential health and environmental risks.

The request follows recent outreach to DEQ in which county leaders expressed concern that Virginia’s current biosolids testing rules do not cover some of the most harmful chemicals found in treated sewage byproducts. PFAS—often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally—have been linked to cancer, immune disorders and developmental issues.

Coker, who spoke on behalf of the county, said local officials “want to ensure that land application of biosolids is conducted with the highest possible level of safety,” noting that existing standards fail to account for a growing class of emerging contaminants. He said the county’s push stems from community worries about long-term exposure and inadequate monitoring of substances that persist in soil and groundwater.

DEQ has not publicly responded to the county’s request. Virginia currently requires testing for nutrients, metals and pathogens in biosolids but does not mandate routine sampling for PFAS, a gap several localities across the state have begun to question as federal regulators move toward tighter national limits.

Orange County officials said they hope their call for expanded testing will prompt statewide discussion about how to better safeguard rural communities where biosolids are commonly used as fertilizer.

Here in Northampton, Supervisor John Coker introduced a motion directing County Administrator Charlie Kolakowski to contact officials in Orange County about its efforts.

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Wayne Creed

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