Biosolids NewsClips - April 11, 2025

The April NewsClips predominantly features articles concerning PFAS in biosolids and wastewater industries. Many articles discuss potential actions to control PFAS, but these actions primarily focus on biosolids rather than consumer products. There's concern that the EPA Draft Risk Assessment is being presented as conclusive, and it is being used to encourage banning the land application of biosolids.

Several articles highlight instances where biosolids are blamed for PFAS contamination without sufficient evidence. For example, wells near a beef farm using EQ Biosolids with high fecal coliform are attributed to biosolids, despite beef manure being a more likely source. In Bloomsburg, PA, the PA DEP is blaming biosolids spreading from the 1980s with no further details.

Some articles call for a complete reduction in PFAS manufacturing and use, along with a ban on land application and incineration of biosolids. One article mentions that there were concerns that chemicals in sludge from a PA alkaline stabilization site (formerly known as Blackwood) could migrate into drinking water. The request for expansion at this site is also being opposed because of odors.

However, there are also some counterpoints and nuances presented. Maryland legislation limiting PFAS in biosolids to 1 PPB (based on the EPA Draft Risk Assessment) was struck down. DC Water stated that no specific study shows its soil product leaching chemicals into groundwater, suggesting that people face far more PFOS exposure from common household items like microwavable popcorn. An article from East Lansing, Michigan, emphasizes the importance of screening biosolids before field application and cautions against broad bans without knowing the specific problems. 

A positive article by Sally Brown of "U dub" is included and is planned to be shared with Lancaster Farming. 

As always, MABA is committed to keeping members informed and engaged. If you have biosolids news to share or would like to join the Communications Committee, please contact Mary Baker at 845-901-7905 or [email protected].

Biosolids News 
(as of April 2, 2025)
 
MABA Region

Reservoir neighbors remain frustrated with polluted water, lack of response
New Scotland, NY (5 Mar 2025) - Residents continue to raise the alarm about the cancer-causing compounds found in their drinking water supply. A farmer, who has property across from the Dunhams, had always sprayed manure on his field, which smelled for a day and then was fine, Dunham said. The trouble began when the farmer switched to fertilizing with biosolids, made from sewer sludge, Dunham said.
Water questions keep bubbling up: neither DEC or Albany County investigate cause of water contamination in New Scotland
Opinion: One family’s hardship makes clear the need to ban use of toxin-laced sewage sludge as fertilizer

Op-Ed: Whatever Are We to Do?
Washington, DC (7 Mar 2025) - If you are a farmer who has spread biosolids to fertilize, you might well wonder, “They swore this stuff was safe! What’s next?” Our series has examined this rebranded sewage sludge, who really profits, how this spreading continues, and why it matters to all of us. The scope of the problem is huge: 35 million tons of sludge are created every year. The degree of contamination varies, but all sludge contains toxics including PFAS. The EPA says there is NO safe level.  Once any of this class of 15,000 chemicals makes its way into our nation’s sewers, these extraordinarily poisonous and highly persistent fluorocarbons pass through Waste Water Treatment Plants.

Carbon rallies against sludge
Lehighton, PA (8 Mar 2025) - A group aimed at helping Carbon County’s residents and the environment thanked the county commissioners for taking a stand against sewage sludge being used on farmlands.On Thursday, members of Save Carbon County addressed the board, thanking them for last month’s action in adopting a resolution calling for further state and federal officials and agencies to investigate the potential effects of land application of sewage sludge within Carbon County. Linda Christman, president of Save Carbon County, said it was good to see further action on the matter. She provided the county with the draft risk assessment from the EPA, which she said states that the products grown on farms using sewage sludge can have high levels of PFAs or forever chemicals, which can be carcinogenic.
Save Carbon addresses board about sludge

Opinion: We’re facing a ‘forever chemicals’ crisis. We must stop Pfas at the source
New York, NY (10 Mar 2025) - Several years ago, I made a movie called Dark Waters, which told the real-life story of a community in West Virginia poisoned by Pfas “forever chemicals”. DuPont – a chemical manufacturing plant – contaminated the local water supply, killing cows and wildlife, making its workers sick and exposing local residents to toxic chemicals. It was an environmental horror story.Yet, despite knowing the risks, the federal government – through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – has actually encouraged farmers to spread sewage sludge contaminated with Pfas across cropland and pastures (as the New York Times has reported in multiple stories). This sludge, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, seeps into the soil, contaminates groundwater and ends up in our food. And from there? It ends up in us.

Comment Period Closing in 30 Days (April 16) on Federal PFOA/PFOS Risk Assessment for Sewage Sludge Applied to Agricultural Land as Fertilizer
Washington, DC (19 Mar 2025) - Interested parties—including businesses raising crops or animals on agricultural and ranch lands potentially impacted by PFAS in groundwater; entities operating wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); and related interest groups and associations—should be aware that the public comment period closes in one month, on April 16, 2025, for EPA’s Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), notice of which was published on January 15, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 3859). The original comment period was scheduled to end on March 17. However, on February 22, EPA extended the comment period to April 16, to “allow interested parties additional time to thoroughly review and analyze” the risk assessment. See 90 Fed. Reg. 10078 (Feb. 22, 2025).

Opinion: What’s in the millions of tonnes of sludge spread on to UK farmland? Toxic waste – and ministers don’t care
New York, NY (21 Mar 2025) - If humanity has an epitaph, it might read something like this: “Knackered by the things we missed.” It is true that several existential threats are widely known and widely discussed. But some of the greatest dangers we face appear on almost no one’s radar. How often have you thought about this one: spreading sewage sludge on farmland? I would guess very few would include it in their top civilisational hazards. Despite the best efforts of a handful of us, it trundles on, unknown to most. Surprising as it may seem, new research suggests that it could help call time on us.

Weekly roundup: Farm lawsuit, toxic sewage sludge expansion
Pottsville, PA (21 Mar 2025) - Liberty Soils Biosolids Management Facility on the Blackwood Inc. mine site in Reilly, Branch and Tremont Twps., has submitted an application to expand its sewage sludge operation to accept 500 tons of biosolids a day. There are many chemicals of concern turning up in sludge, but perhaps most concerning are the PFAS or “forever” chemicals, which are linked to several diseases and certain cancers. Farmers in Schuylkill County can legally apply the sludge to fields, which threatens the land, neighbors and the food supply with toxic contamination. When it rains, the chemicals in the sludge can migrate into drinking water supplies.
Commissioners oppose biosolids company expansion

‘Forever chemicals’ in the community: DEP says sewage from the 1980s likely threatens Columbia County’s health
Pittston, PA (21 Mar 2025) - The DEP started its investigation into groundwater and wells near the Brookside Village Mobile Home Park, where contamination was first detected last April after routine water testing. The agency discovered dangerously high levels of PFAS. The contamination was likely from sewage sludge, also known as biosolids, used as fertilizer on nearby farms in the 1980s, according to DEP. The sludge is the byproduct of wastewater treatment. DEP is also testing a former electroplating operation in the area for contamination.

Lawmakers clash over PFAS limits in farming sludge
Annapolis, MD (24 Mar 2025) - Maryland lawmakers are struggling to advance legislation aimed at limiting the presence of toxic "forever chemicals" in sewage sludge used as soil conditioner—a predominant source of PFAS contamination in the state's environment, according to scientists studying the issue. The bill, which has faced stiff opposition due to its potential economic impact, is undergoing revisions in a last-ditch effort to stay alive.  A hearing on an amendment that would weaken the proposed limits is scheduled for Tuesday. At the heart of the debate is Maryland Senate Bill 732, which seeks to restrict levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in treated sewage sludge spread on agricultural land. PFAS chemicals, widely used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam, do not break down over time and have been linked to cancer and other health risks at extremely low exposure levels. 
Political notes: ‘Madness’ in the House, another FAMLI delay, a sludge slump
'Forever Chemical' legislation in Maryland fails

Sewage sludge can find a second life on farm fields. Here’s how it’s made
New York, NY (26 Mar 2025) - What goes down your toilet can end up on farm fields across the United States.
Biosolids, or sewage sludge, are the solid byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. Rich in nutrients, they can be used as fertilizer on agricultural fields or compost on lawns. But the process for producing these materials can vary greatly, and some unwanted things can end up in those biosolids. A recent study released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggested that human health risks associated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were elevated in some places where sludge was applied to farm fields.

Nationally

USU researcher focuses on keeping ‘forever chemicals’ out of our water, food
Logan, UT (3 Mar 2025) - A research project at Utah State University is targeting so-called ‘forever chemicals’ that often end up in our groundwater and ultimately in some food sources. The harmful compounds are more commonly known in the science community as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Dr. Ryan Dupont, a professor in civil and environmental engineering, said PFAS are found just about everywhere. Researchers on Dupont’s team are targeting the sludge that wastewater treatment plants often turn into compost. He said the compost, in turn, feeds plants that animals eat, which then end up in our food chain.

County sued over its biosolid ordinance by Biocycle, LLC
Bartholomew County, IN (4 Mar 2025) - A lawsuit has been filed against the Bartholomew County commissioners claiming a sewer sludge storage ordinance is unconstitutional. Biocycle, LLC v. Bartholomew County Board of County Commissioners was filed Feb. 17 in Bartholomew Circuit Court. Daily said during public hearings at the time he felt the commissioners passed an illegal ordinance that mainly affects his farm operation and limits what biosolids he can use. 
Greensburg asks IDEM for permit to spread its biosolids in Bartholomew County

City Council considering a 5-year extension to biosolid program
Omaha, NE (4 Mar 2025) - For years, the city has kept sewage sludge out of the landfill with the help of area farmers. Now, city council is considering extending the agreement with even more farmers. In 2024 the program diverted nearly 96,000 cubic yards of sewage sludge from the landfill. The program pays farmers to take the waste and use it on their land. By doing this, City Council president Pete Festersen says it saves the city over $2 million in landfill fees.

CBPU Board approves biosolids contract with Sexton Farms
Coldwater, MI (6 Mar 2025) - he Coldwater Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors approved the renewal of a three year contract with Sexton Farms on Wednesday night to haul and land apply biosolids from the Water Resource Recovery Facility. The contract would be in effect from May 1 through April of 2028. The CBPU has contracted with Sexton Farms for six years. Prior to that, this was contracted through a third-party from outside of the region. Water Superintendent Brian Musselman said the price increase from three cents to four cents a gallon is worth it.

Forever chemicals in biosolids may pose problems for municipalities, farmers
East Lansing, MI (7 Mar 2025) - A common practice by farmers to fertilize their fields may be spreading forever chemicals into new areas and into the food supply. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials derived from the treatment of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants that are applied as fertilizer. They can be a cost-effective way for local governments to dispose of sewage sludge and for farmers who pay little or nothing to use it as fertilizer.

Op-Ed: Right Goal, Wrong Direction
Seattle, WA (10 Mar 2025) - In the final days of the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency released a draft report assessing the risk of biosolids – that’s the term for a fertilizer recycled from our wastewater — as it pertains to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” This group of 3,000-plus manmade chemicals permeate virtually every aspect of our lives: they are in cookware, food packaging, carpets, cleaning products, and cosmetics, to name a few. The authors used the extremely low-end numbers of 1 part per billion of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, to model the hypothetical risks of PFAS to a family using biosolids on their farm. To put this number in perspective, dental floss contains an average of 2.5 million parts per billion of PFAS. The rainwater itself contains more PFAS than their hypothetical biosolids application, and yet none of these sources were taken into account by the report.

Senate passes Sen. Jeff Wilson’s bill to assess ‘forever chemical’ contamination in food supply
Centralia, WA (10 Mar 2025) - A bill by state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, passed the Senate for the second time Friday, calling attention to possible forever-chemical contamination in Washington’s food supply due to the use of biosolid fertilizers on fields where crops are grown, according to a news release from Wilson. Senate Bill 5033 would launch a testing program to assess contamination levels in processed human waste currently used as fertilizers for farms and forests. Wilson’s bill requires the state Department of Ecology to establish a testing program for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds in biosolids by July 1, 2028.

PFAS Contaminated a Texas County’s Farms, Threatening Animals, Water and Public Health
Johnson County, TX (12 Mar 2025) - Johnson County’s long saga with PFAS started in 2022, with an influx of calls to Detective Dana Ames, an environmental crimes investigator for the Texas county located just south of Fort Worth. More than two years later, county officials declared a state of disaster, as testing pointed to high levels of PFAS in the county’s farmland. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also dubbed “forever chemicals” because they require much longer spans of time to break down in soils. But in Johnson county, officials attributed these high levels of PFAS to a form of processed waste called biosolids — also known as sewage sludge — that were applied to farms as fertilizer to boost crop fertility.
Fort Worth sues feds, companies for $420M in damages from forever chemicals in water
Synagro Releases Conclusions of Independent Scientific Study on Biosolids in Johnson County, Texas
Synagro seeks to dismiss lawsuit over PFAS in its biosolids, citing new research
Officials seek state of emergency after discovering health hazard lurking in widely used product: 'This is uncharted territory'
Fort Worth water utility to take over operations at biosolids plant blamed for foul smell, dead livestock

DPU Pulls Back Curtain On WRRF
Los Alamos, NM (13 Mar 2025) - Oh, the mysteries of plumbing. What secrets travel along the maze of pipes that ultimately wind up at a wastewater treatment plant or in White Rock’s case, the White Rock Water Resource Reclamation Facility (WRRF)? Department of Public Utilities staff decided to pull back the curtain and show the community the answer. The first public tour of the WRRF, which went online just last year, was held March 5. It was led by Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Josh Silva. Another tour will be held April 9 and a third is scheduled for May 14. The tours are open to everyone, though space is limited, and are free of charge.

House bill addresses city sewage sludge
Mt. Pleasant, IA (14 Mar 2025) - This week we debated and voted on nearly 50 bills on the House floor. I was floor manager for two of those bills, and I will get to those in a second, but first I want to talk about a bill I introduced to address the issue of city sewage sludge being spread on farmland. For some time, various cities across the country have paid farmers to haul the sludge from their sewage treatment plants and spread it on their cropland. This was viewed as a win-win solution: cities got rid off their sewage sludge, and farmers received “free” fertilizer. Some of the toxins found in sewage sludge are PFAs, often called “forever chemicals.” The EPA has said that PFAs are unsafe for humans in drinking water at any level.

How do we address the problem of PFAS in sewage sludge?
Champaign County, IL (20 Mar 2025) - Communities and federal agencies are waking up to the dangers of “forever chemicals” in wastewater treatment sludge, which is often sprayed on farm fields as fertilizer. In mid-January, the federal Environmental Protection Agency warned that this practice endangers human health. A month later, Johnson County in northeast Texas declared a state of emergency over the contamination of farm fields with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from sewage sludge. John Scott, a research scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center who studies PFAS in wastewater treatment facilities and landfills, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the problem.

City utilities considers drying biosolids
Columbus, IN (21 Mar 2025) - Columbus City Utilities (CCU) board members are discussing beginning to dry biosolids and embarking on a new project to enable that, something officials said is in utility’s best interest for long-term resiliency. Travis Calhoun, associate director of treatment operations, and Ashley Getz, associate director of engineering, set the stage for board members during a meeting on Thursday explaining how the biosolids program operates now, talked about concerns they had regarding continuing on with the program as is and then presented what biosolids drying would look like and its benefits.

Round Mountain Water proposes to spread sewage sludge on local ranch
Westcliffe, CO (22 Mar 2025) - On March 6, the company that was hired by Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District, Denali Water Systems, filed an application with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to take the biosolids from the lagoons and spread them on a property south of Westcliffe over 150 acres of dry grazing ground for fertilizer. The land was actually owned by Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District until 2022. This land was known locally as the Johnson Ranch and was purchased by Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District in 2000 so that the water district could have the water rights and use them for the towns. The land was sold in 2022 for $1.5 million to an Illinios industrial chicken egg farmer, Joseph Kropf who has a house in Pueblo.
Editorial: Spreading sewage sludge is a risk and requires the precautionary principle
Sludge company giving special presentation to Custer Commissioners at 5 p.m. in Westcliffe

Salem utilities officials talk wastewater treatment plant project progress
Salem, OH (24 Mar 2025) - The utilities commission discussed the rate of progress for phase three improvements at the wastewater treatment plant in its meeting Thursday. Burgess and Niple Contract Administrator Don Tych said that the trickling filter station has been renovated with new pipes and valves, and that the new pumps were ready to be set in place. Progress is also continuing in the sludge dewatering and sludge conditioning building. He said that the conveyor system in the sludge dewatering building had been roughed in and were “98% complete,” process piping in the sludge conditioning building was about 50% complete, waste gas piping for the anaerobic digestor had been completed and tested, and the primary tank roof inspection had been completed.

Kalamazoo seeks loan to tackle wastewater odor and infrastructure issues
Kalamazoo, MI (25 Mar 2025) - The city has just made the public aware of its plan to hopefully obtain portions of a nearly $200 million loan that would help dismantle the odor many residents have complained about over the years. The loan is a part of a low-interest financing program called "water state revolving loan fund," or CWSRF. “It’s a wet process in that we manage, we store, we process, we haul wet material to the landfill that creates that odor that’s an impact for our community and our neighbors,” James Baker, City of Kalamazoo public services director and city engineer, said.

Tennessee bill aims to give Grundy County power to regulate use of biosolids on farmland
Grundy County, TN (26 Mar 2025) - A bill is making its way through Tennessee legislature that would give Grundy County the legal authority to regulate the application of human sewage on farmland in the community. This comes after concerns from county officials and residents who have been asking for regulations to protect them from the smell and runoff. According to permit documents from TDEC, more than a dozen farms in Grundy County are getting biosolids delivered from the Moccasin Bend treatment plant in Chattanooga. Current law prohibits counties from prohibiting or regulating normal agricultural activities.

Tulsa councilors worried biosolids bill will hike sewer bills
Tulsa, OK (27 Mar 2025) - Well intentioned, Senate Bill 3 states "To protect the health and safety of the people of this state, land application of sludge and biosolid material is hereby prohibited on and after July 1, 2027." It passed 42 to 4. But then the biosolids hit the fan. "If this goes through as is it’s going to have a huge financial impact on the city," said Tulsa city councilor Phil Lakin. "Quite honestly I think the poo bill stinks," :said Tulsa city councilor Carol Bush. Both councilors, holding their noses on the economic impact of the bill if it were to become law. "The estimates that we received yesterday was that it could cost us $10 million more a year just to do it after a capital investment of about $100 million dollars," said Lakin.
Timeline for biosolids bill too fast say local officials
Bill to ban sewage sludge as fertilizer wins Oklahoma Senate approval

Meriden proposes hikes in water and sewer rates over maintenance, disposal, equipment costs
Meriden, CT (31 Mar 2025) - City residents can expect to see increases in their water and sewer bills due to state and federal laws mandating phosphorus removal from water, removal of lead pipes from homes and steep jumps in biosolids disposal costs. According to City Manager Brian Daniels' proposed budget, water rates will increase from $5.7 per 100 cubic feet for water to $6.12 per 100 cubic feet. If the budget is approved sewer rates will increase 5.5 percent from $6.49 per cubic foot to $6.85. 

Internationally

Plan to graze horses on former sewage site refused
Ossett, England (9 Mar 2025) - Plans to graze horses on land previously used to treat sewage have been rejected over animal safety concerns. An applicant had hoped to use a former Yorkshire Water site off Spa Lane in Ossett as pasture land for up to five horses. But a planning officer's report to Wakefield Council raised the risk of soil being contaminated with harmful toxic metals including arsenic and mercury. The council said the application failed to show the site was safe for grazing due to its "historic use for the drying of sludge associated with the former Ossett sewage works".

Biosolids hold untapped potential — using them can revolutionise Indian farming
New Delhi, India (10 Mar 2025) - Agriculture in India is a key sector of the nation’s economy, employing approximately 60 per cent of the population and contributing significantly to the country’s gross domestic product or GDP. However, it faces major challenges such as soil degradation, water scarcity and the overuse of chemical fertilisers, raising concerns about sustainability and environmental health. Biosolids are increasingly being used in agriculture, either formally or informally, as organic fertilisers, particularly in areas where farmers seek cost-effective alternatives to chemical fertilisers. The use of biosolids could help reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, lower farming costs and improve soil fertility.

Regional septage facility being considered in Chilliwack
Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada (Mar 11 2025) - A regional septage facility could be constructed on reserve land just north of Highway 1 in Chilliwack. According to a PowerPoint slide presentation from Monday night’s District of Hope council meeting, Leq’á:mel Development Corporation and YieldBridge Industries Ltd. provided an overview outlining the proposed septage and biosolids processing facility. Two locations are being envisioned for the project, including Lackaway Indian Reserve No. 2, located west of Lickman Road and north of Industrial Way, and Papekwatchin, located north of the Fraser River and southwest of Deroche.

Solar-powered tech turns sewage sludge into green hydrogen and animal feed
Singapore (12 Mar 2025) - Scientists at NTU Singapore, have developed an innovative solar-powered method to transform sewage sludge - a by-product of wastewater treatment - into green hydrogen for clean energy and single-cell protein for animal feed. Published in Nature Water, the sludge-to-food-and-fuel method tackles two pressing global challenges: managing waste and generating sustainable resources. Proof-of-concept tests revealed that the NTU team’s process is more efficient than conventional techniques like anaerobic digestion - through which bacteria break down organic waste to produce biogas and nutrient-rich residue. It recovers significantly more resources, completely removes heavy metal contaminants, has a smaller environmental footprint, and offers better economic feasibility.
Pollutant-eating sewage bacteria offer hope for environmental cleanup

Prevalence of microplastics in soil increased 15 times in four years – study
Glasgow, Scotland (13 Mar 2025) - The research also found the number of microplastics in the soil remained relatively unchanged 22 years after application. Microplastics are pieces of plastic measuring less than 5mm and can be manufactured intentionally, such as in cosmetics, or broken off from larger pieces of plastic. Sewage sludge is commonly used to fertilise farmland around the world, and contains large amounts of microplastics, which are released into the soil.

A new way of dealing with wastewater sludge at Delta's Annacis plant
Ladner, British Columbia, Canada (17 Mar 2025) - A demonstration-scale project for a new use of wastewater sludge is coming to the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delta.Metro Vancouver’s Liquid Waste Committee recently endorsed recommendation be forwarded to the regional district’s board to approve a $12 million contract for site preparation, installation, tie-in connections and commissioning of the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) Demonstration Plant. HTL converts wastewater sludge into biocrude, instead of producing biosolids. The biocrude can then be refined into low-carbon transportation fuels.

Quebec adopts new code to regulate 'forever chemicals' in biosolids
Montreal, Quebec, Canada (18 Mar 2025) - The presence and concentration of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," in fertilizing residual materials will be monitored under new standards in Quebec through a management code, according to Quebec's Environment Ministry. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a class of thousands of chemicals used in a wide range of products, from food containers to clothing to natural fertilizers. Quebec's code on the management of fertilizing residual materials such as sewage sludge, also sometimes known as biosolids — which come from treating municipal or industrial wastewater — will take effect Nov. 1.

Odour may be smelled during maintenance at McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant: CRD
Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada (26 Mar 2025) - The Capital Regional District is notifying residents of possible “localized odour generation” during maintenance at the McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt. Maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant kicked off Wednesday, and will include a 21-day sewage bypass between March 26 and April 16. During the bypass, sewage that has undergone primary treatment will be released at an outfall located two kilometres into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.