While rarely in the spotlight, wastewater treatment facilities play a pivotal role in transforming household sewage into biosolids while safeguarding both public health and the environment. For all homes connected to a sewer system, sewage residuals are processed into biosolids at wastewater treatment plants. While these facilities are not widely discussed in today’s world, they […]
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) serves the region with a drive to fulfill its promise – to treat wastewater and recover natural resources to protect public health and the environment. HRSD’s vision is to ensure that the communities they serve will have clean waterways and reliable water resources for generations. To further this mission, […]
Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance Kendra Sveum at Loudoun Water dedicates much of her work to tackling emerging contaminant issues. Loudoun Water’s mission is to ensure a healthy environment and high quality of life through sustainable resource management, covering over 1,483 miles of water distribution pipelines, more than 1,234 miles of wastewater collection system […]
Recently the VBC sat down for a conversation with Hobey Bauhan, President of the Virginia Poultry Federation. Poultry litter (which consists of manure and used bedding material) management in Virginia is generally governed and regulated by the same agencies that oversee the use of biosolids in Virginia. Bauhan, whose experience includes regulatory and legislative matters […]
As the VBC carries out its mission to enrich soil health and increase farm productivity and sustainability one begins to understand that every day our members endeavor to improve the earth. The wastewater treatment cycle is a 365-day commitment each year. And this is a special year, leap year, where our commitment extends to 366 days. This Earth Day […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rule designating PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The rule will require the manufacturers of PFAS to clean up and remediate a CERCLA designated site found to be contaminated with the substances. In its announcement, EPA […]
A key element of VBC’s Code of Good Practice is the research that supports its goals of protecting the environment, minimizing adverse social impacts, and promoting education and awareness. A recent emphasis on research into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will enable VBC and its partners to gain a deeper understanding of PFAS presence in biosolids and […]
On March 20, 2024, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works convened a hearing into the impacts of designating PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The hearing underscored two indisputable facts. First, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is taking an unprecedented step of designating […]
In October 2023, Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences welcomed Dr. Vijay Chaganti as a new faculty member. As an assistant professor, Dr. Chaganti brings expertise in byproduct use and management, with a focus on research and extension responsibilities. Dr. Chaganti arrived at Virginia Tech after serving as a research scientist at the […]
In celebration of Women’s History Month, VBC turns its attention to the remarkable women who are breaking barriers and driving innovation in industries often overlooked. We recently spoke with Kendra Sveum, Director of Water Reclamation, a pioneering figure in the biosolids industry. As a woman at the forefront of this vital sector, Kendra embodies resilience, […]