Get the lowdown on PADEP’s proposed Biosolids/Sewage Sludge Permit Revisions and how to give input—Public Comments needed now through September 2nd.
Webinar:
7:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, July 23, 2026
REGISTER here
Sewage sludge, processed into “biosolids”, has been applied on farm fields for decades in Pennsylvania. There is mounting evidence that biosolids applied on land can contaminate groundwater, surface water, soil, air, and crops/farm products. Both Maine and Connecticut have banned the practice, and other states are adopting regulations to limit the pollutants that can migrate into the environment and our drinking water from land treated with biosolids. We need protection from this pollution here in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania is proposing revised permits (keyword: Biosolids) that cover biosolids/sewage sludge, published on July 4 and are now open for public comment through September 2, 2026 ( https://greenport.pa.gov/elibrary/GetFolder?FolderID=3664 ). We need many people and organizations to submit written comments to DEP and to demand a public hearing be added.
In this webinar, DRN will cover what changes are being proposed to each of the three General Permits that DEP issues for the land application of sewage sludge/biosolids and will offer guidance on points you can make. Overall, the revisions move us towards limiting the release of dangerous pollutants, but they certainly do not go far enough since the use of biosolids containing highly toxic “forever chemicals” or PFAS, for instance, will still be allowed. Other permit conditions also need to be more protective than proposed.
We hope to see you at our FREE WEBINAR on July 23. REGISTER here