Bill > SB719

This bill establishes new regulations for the land application of sewage sludge, which is the solid residue extracted from sewage at treatment plants, to limit the presence of certain chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, starting October 1, 2028, sewage sludge with a total concentration of regulated PFAS above 50 parts per billion (ppb) will be prohibited from being applied to agricultural or marginal land. If the concentration is between 25 and 50 ppb, it can still be applied but with stricter limits on the amount applied per acre and increased buffer zones around water sources and properties, and the land applier must notify landowners and local governments beforehand. The bill also introduces the concept of "commingling," which means mixing treated sewage sludge with other materials to reduce the PFAS concentration, allowing this for up to two years if the final product is below 25 ppb, though it requires monthly monitoring. Furthermore, sewage sludge generators that produce sludge with PFAS levels of 25 ppb or higher must conduct a "source tracking study" to identify where these chemicals are entering their systems and develop a "mitigation plan" within five years to reduce them, which may involve establishing pretreatment standards for industrial users who discharge PFAS. The bill also updates how PFAS concentrations are measured, requiring the use of specific EPA methods and certified laboratories, and clarifies that local authorities can set even stricter limits than those mandated by this bill.