Wastewater 101: The Issues and Opportunities of Biosolids

Maine’s wastewater treatment plants process polluted water, reducing waste and eliminating pollutants before discharging cleaner water into the state’s rivers and coastal areas. Much of the infrastructure supporting these operations was initially installed under the Clean Water Act and is over 50 years old, requiring substantial investment for upgrades and maintenance. 

Now, these plants face a new challenge: The sludge generated during the treatment process contains PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and can no longer be spread on farms. The only remaining disposal option is a landfill, which is costly to transport and difficult to manage.

To address this growing issue, a proposed state bond (LD 25) would help fund critical wastewater infrastructure upgrades, including sludge treatment technologies that reduce landfill strain and protect Maine’s water and communities. Advocating for this bond is key to ensuring sustainable waste management solutions.

Join Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper for Friends of Casco Bay; Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection; and Dan Marks, Wastewater Superintendent for the Town of Falmouth and Government Affairs Co-Chair of the Maine Water Environment Association as they discuss wastewater systems, solutions on the horizon to address the sludge problem, and how you can get involved in supporting smarter, more sustainable waste management for Maine.