Farm use of PFAS-laden sludge raises health concerns. But, some ask, where else can it go?

By Molly Rains | New Hampshire Bulletin | February 17, 2026

Read the full article by Molly Rains (New Hampshire Bulletin)

“A resourceful solution to repurpose waste and nourish farmland, or a poisonous and permanent mistake?

Depending on whom you ask, the practice of spreading treated sewage, or sludge, on New Hampshire farmland might be either. For decades, this fertilizer has been a point of contention both locally and nationwide. Now, with renewed attention on sludge’s PFAS, or ‘forever chemical’ content, a new bill from Merrimack Democratic Rep. Wendy Thomas brings the practice back into the spotlight.

Grounded in concerns about the health impacts of PFAS, House Bill 1275 seeks to create a financial safety net for farmers who experience losses after discovering the chemicals on their land or in their crops. The bill also proposes a five-year moratorium on agricultural use of the material, an idea that proved controversial among farmers, wastewater professionals, and legislators at a hearing Feb. 10.”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.