Potential for Biosolids Use on Solar Sites

W. Lee Daniels, Emeritus Professor of Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech, wdaniels@vt.edu Over the next several decades, conversion of existing agricultural and forested landscapes into utility scale solar (USS) facilities will likely be the dominant land use change across rural landscapes in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. Total area affected by USS in Virginia, according to […]

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Good Neighbor Brochure: Healthy Crops. Knowledgeable Neighbors. Everything You Need To Know About Farming With Biosolids

The “Good Neighbor” brochure is a resource created by the VBC to provide information and resources for our farmers, landowners and anyone interested in biosolids. Farmers depend on the healthiness of their farm. So, when considering fertilizers, they want to make the best possible choices for their land. The VBC developed this brochure to answer basic […]

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Soybeans Start to Sprout at VBC Eastern Virginia Research Plot

Soybeans are just now starting to sprout at VBC’s research plot at the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (EVAREC) in Warsaw. This project, looking at the impact of biosolids application and PFAS in soils, is part of a national PFAS study conducted by Dr. Ian Pepper of the University of Arizona. The plot is divided into three areas: […]

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VWEA Biosolids Beauty Contest

Calling all treatment plants, resource recovery facilities, and water pollution control plants! Do you have the best biosolids in Virginia? Please bring samples of your stabilized biosolids to Virginia Beach to enter the Second Annual WaterJAM Biosolids Beauty Contest! A panel of expert judges will judge both Class A and Class B categories for the […]

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VDACS Commissioner Talks Biosolids

At a recent Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) education seminar on biosolids Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Commissioner Joe Guthrie shared some of his perspectives on biosolids use in Virginia. Commissioner Guthrie’s agency oversees the distribution and marketing permits for Exceptional Quality (Class A) biosolids. He shared an agricultural perspective on biosolids and […]

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VBC Eastern Virginia Research Project Advances

The Virginia Biosolids Council has moved forward on coordinating a research project at the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Warsaw looking at the impact of biosolids application and PFAS in soils. This effort is designed to further the Council’s mission to fulfill the Code of Good Practice and provide farmers with […]

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Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet

Earth Day is a celebration of our most valued resource, the Earth. Our organization is focused on responsibly producing biosolids for beneficial use and recycling that is protective of public health and the environment. It is one way we can enhance soil and our environment. This year’s theme is “Invest in our Planet”, a perspective […]

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VBC Eastern Virginia Research Project Under Consideration for National Study 

VBC members subscribe to a Code of Good Practice, which encourages them to go beyond the regulations.  The Code encourages members to establish their own performance objectives that support the following goals:  Protecting the environment  Minimizing adverse social impacts  Promoting education and awareness  To that end, VBC has identified research on PFAS as a priority, […]

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2022 Code of Good Practice Report of the Virginia Biosolids Council

The Council’s membership includes representatives of municipal utilities in Virginia and metropolitan facilities in Washington and Maryland that beneficially manage biosolids in Virginia. It also includes companies that recycle biosolids on Virginia’s farms, forests, and public spaces. Member commitment to the Code of Good Practice requires an ongoing effort to exceed compliance with Virginia’s extensive […]

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Protecting Public Health Using Modern Biosolids Management

Recently the Council hosted a Session at the most recent Environment Virginia discussing biosolids and public health. VBC members Allison Deines, AlexRenew; Jamie Mitchell, HRSD; joined Rosa Gwinn, AECOM; Lola Olabode, Water Research Federation; and Neil Zahradka, Department of Environmental Quality, to present Protecting Public Health Using Modern Biosolids Management at this year’s Symposium. Biosolids are among the most studied and […]

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