The Scene: A Fertilizer Fallout

A disturbing discovery made headlines in 2023 when Maryland’s sewage plants found harmful “forever chemicals" contaminating the state's sludge—which is usually converted into fertilizer and spread like a smelly blanket on farmland. Ever sensitive to the allure of clean food and drinking water, Maryland started restricting the use of the toxic fertilizer. In an ironic turn of events, Synagro, a major player in the sludge-fertilizer industry thought, "Well, if Maryland won't have it, let's try Virginia."

The very same fertilizer deemed too risky for Maryland is now strutting across the state border. This hasn’t sat well with a coalition of Virginia's environmentalists, fishing groups, and some farmers who fear the contaminated sludge is going to turn their lands and waterways into Chernobyl-lite.

No Sludge Shame in the Game

Unfortunately, Virginia's headache is not unique. As the nation wakes up to the farmland contamination crisis, states with weaker regulations find themselves in the unenviable position of being potential dumping grounds for everyone else's contaminated waste. In this case, Synagro, controlled by a Goldman Sachs investment fund, has even sought permission to increase the amount of lovely sludge it applies to Virginia's rural farmland. Now there's a selling point.

Hocus Pocus, We Need Some Focus

So, what's the takeaway here? Other than feeling like you're in the middle of a septic system showdown, it's clear there needs to be nationwide regulations that don’t favor one state over another. Currently, the system allows for loopholes and lax regulations that lead to not-so-neighborly sludge dumping. Its high time we stopped passing the poo parcel in the name of profit. We need strong, enforced across-the-board regulations that protect our environment, our food sources, and our dignity as a nation that knows better.

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