Fort Worth ends contract with Synagro amid pollution concerns

The city of Fort Worth, Texas, has decided to terminate its relationship with Synagro, a firm specializing in the production of fertilizer from sewage sludge, due to rising worries about the contamination of local farmland and groundwater with toxic chemicals. This development occurs amidst broader allegations that the fertilizers contain harmful “forever chemicals,” which could pose serious health risks.

Synagro, backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, has been at the center of controversy after a series of complaints from local ranchers in Johnson County. These ranchers claim that the use of Synagro’s sewage-based fertilizer has led to the contamination of their crops and livestock with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are associated with various diseases, including cancer. These substances, used in products like nonstick cookware and water-repellent fabrics, are notorious for their persistence in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

The city’s decision came after a unanimous vote by the city council to cancel a 10-year contract with Synagro, initially signed in 2019. This contract cancellation aligns with a lawsuit Fort Worth has filed against several PFAS manufacturers, citing contamination of the city’s water supply.

Despite Synagro’s assertions that their products do not contribute to PFAS contamination, the city’s actions suggest growing concerns about the potential health impacts of using sewage sludge as fertilizer. Maine remains the only state actively testing for PFAS on farmland, discovering these chemicals on numerous dairy farms, highlighting the lack of widespread testing in other regions.

The recent legal and operational decisions by Fort Worth reflect a critical reassessment of the use of biosolids in agriculture, especially as federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency have begun issuing warnings about the risks associated with PFAS in these materials.

As the debate over the safety of sewage-based fertilizers continues, affected ranchers have halted the sale of their livestock and are facing significant economic hardships. Environmental investigators and legal representatives for the ranchers are pressing for accountability and remedial action, arguing that the termination of Synagro’s contract and the ongoing lawsuits are indicative of larger, unresolved environmental and health issues.