TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A pair of bills curbing land application of treated sewage sludge cleared a Senate panel Tuesday, even as some environmentalists called for the Legislature to tighten regulations even further.
Details: The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources voted 8-0 to advance S.B. 1294, a bill that would prohibit land application of certain biosolids from exceeding a set rate. The legislation also requires land operators to keep records of their biosolids applications and seeks to prevent biosolid dumping.
Biosolids, or treated sewage sludge, are often used as fertilizer on agricultural land, parks, home lawns and gardens. The sludge is high in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can seep into the soil and pollute groundwater.
The bill requires biosolids only be labeled and applied as fertilizer if they are exchanged in a bona fide sale. The measure is intended to close loopholes allowing biosolids to be given away as fertilizer to offset disposal costs.
