The widespread contamination has reportedly already caused the deaths of fish and cattle and the contamination of groundwater.
CLEBURNE, Texas — Johnson County officials declared a state of disaster on Tuesday after local agricultural land was found to be contaminated with PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
The contamination was traced back to the use of contaminated biosolids as fertilizer, which has already led to the deaths of fish and cattle in the affected areas and compromised groundwater quality.
“This is not just an environmental issue; it’s an agricultural issue,” said Johnson County Commissioner Larry Woolley.
Johnson County Judge Christopher Boedeker emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating it threatens the core of the county’s agricultural community and the safety of its residents.
“We are taking immediate action to protect our citizens and support our farming community during this crisis,” Boedeker said.
Well water near biosolid application sites has tested for PFAS levels several hundred times higher than the EPA’s safe drinking water standards, posing an immediate public health risk to drinking water supplies.
The county has requested Texas Governor Greg Abbott to seek federal disaster assistance and to join in the disaster declaration.
Producers affected by the PFAS contamination are encouraged to contact Deputy Constable Dana Ames at 817-556-6363 for assistance.
Scientists warn that PFAS chemicals can be carcinogenic. Last year, at a contentious meeting in Canton, citizens voiced concerns about a landowner spreading biosolids on his property, located about 30 minutes outside the city.
“I stand with the ranchers, farmers, homeowners, and people in this room, and I ask you to deny this permit based on the fact that all forever chemicals are toxic and not needed in rural Texas,” Commissioner Tuley stated at the meeting.
Representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Denali Water Solutions, the company that produces the biosolid fertilizer, were also present at the meeting. TCEQ officials noted that the landowner had met all legal requirements for the permit.
Currently, TCEQ reports that there are more than 40 sites across Texas where companies like Denali and others have been permitted to provide biosolids to landowners for use as fertilizer.
