The land application of biosolids is currently permitted in more than 70 counties in Virginia.  Much of this recycling occurs on very rural and private farms.  The recycling and beneficial use of biosolids on Richard Clemmer’s farm in Rockbridge County, however, occurs within sight of one of the busiest roads on the East Coast of the United States – the U.S. Interestate-81corridor between Lexington and Staunton.

Essex County has some of the most fertile soils in Virginia. It is located in the historic Middle Peninsula, bordered by the York River to its south and the Rappahannock River to its north. It is solidly rural, and much of the economic activity is centered on farming and forestry.

Water reclamation facilities across the country periodically assess their existing biosolids management program. When the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) began evaluating its program recently it, like many others, focused on diversifying its program, but it also set an important objective to create an additional revenue stream.

Ronnie Sharpe farms in Louisa County, which recently went through an extended biosolids permitting process – this in a county where the beneficial use of biosolids has been applied to family farmers who choose to use biosolids for almost four decades..

Charles City County ‘s population today is only about 1,500 more than it was when our country gained its independence in 1776.  It is still a county that has as its border the historic James River, and an economic foundation grounded in agriculture and forestry.