A mixture of composted biosolids and wood chips is pictured at Merrimack Wastewater Treatment Facility. Debate over how biosolids should be regulated in New Hampshire has drawn in environmental groups, wastewater treatment professionals, and farmers throughout this legislative session. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)
Earlier this year, a proposal from the New Hampshire House sought to pause the practice of applying PFAS-containing sewage sludge to farmland in New Hampshire. But over the course of multiple packed hearings and after a handful of amendments, the bill’s provisions have changed shape, sparking concern among some early supporters.
The latest twist in the bill’s journey was a “replace-all” amendment adopted in the Senate May 7 that removed all references to sludge. Lawmakers and staff said that was a procedural error; some said they expected much of the bill to be reinstated later this week, when the Senate takes up the bill once more on Thursday.
Some stakeholders are not so sure that’s good news.
Allison Jumper, of Durham, said the bill had morphed from its original form into something completely different — harmful rather than protective. The version of the bill that existed just before the error lawmakers will aim to fix this week “not only fails to solve the PFAS problem — it entrenches it,” she said in a statement.
