Support Better Biosolids Legislation

For nearly two decades, more than 70,000 tons of sewage sludge (aka Class B biosolids) on average has been annually permitted to be disposed of within the Upper Basin of the St. Johns River. Sewage sludge has been harming our river for long enough. It’s time to fix the problem.

Senate Bill 290/House Bill 433 will ban the land disposal of Class B biosolids which will end or limit the inequitable transfer of South Florida’s sewage sludge to the Headwaters of the St. Johns. However, this Class B ban will lead to increased production of Class ...

For nearly two decades, more than 70,000 tons of sewage sludge (aka Class B biosolids) on average has been annually permitted to be disposed of within the Upper Basin of the St. Johns River. Sewage sludge has been harming our river for long enough. It’s time to fix the problem.

Senate Bill 290/House Bill 433 will ban the land disposal of Class B biosolids which will end or limit the inequitable transfer of South Florida’s sewage sludge to the Headwaters of the St. Johns. However, this Class B ban will lead to increased production of Class AA biosolids that are cleaner, but if over applied, can also lead to excess nutrient pollution. Class AA is not currently regulated. Reasonable, responsible guardrails are needed to ensure there are no unintended consequences of Class AA use. Fortunately, Senate Bill 1294 (Bradley) and House Bill 1245 (Shoaf) will do just that.

These bills would reduce the impact that sewage sludge has on our waterways. They:

Close Class AA Biosolids loopholes
May not exceed application more than agricultural needs
Consider bulk land application as disposal, which is prohibited
Require recordkeeping
Provide science-based guidance for application rates

Contact your legislator to support Senate Bill 1294/House Bill 1245.

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Subject:

As your constituent, I ask that you vote YES on SB 1294 / HB 1245 and support better biosolids legislation.

For nearly two decades, more than 70,000 tons of sewage sludge on average has been annually permitted to be disposed of within the Upper Basin of the St. Johns River, which includes Brevard, Indian River and Osceola Counties. In 2016, this represented more than 73% of the Class B biosolids permitted for land application in the entire state.

While FDEP identified sewage sludge as a source in their 2022 PFAS Dynamic Plan, the state agency does not require PFAS testing as part of their sewage sludge permits, putting farmers and their cattle at risk of contamination. This poses a serious health risk to aquatic wildlife when it runs off farmlands and to people who consume milk, eggs and beef.

SB 290/HB 433 will ban the land disposal of Class B biosolids protecting Florida’s ranch land and the St. Johns River, but it will lead to the increase of Class AA Biosolids. SB 1294/HB 1245 provide reasonable, responsible guardrails to ensure that there are no unintended consequences to the use of Class AA biosolids.

Now is the time to take action to require testing, limit the use of sewage sludge on ag lands, and enact policies that will protect our farms, our water, and our St. Johns River.

Thank you for your consideration.

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