In brief
The city of Fort Worth, Texas, has ended its agreement with Synagro, a company backed by Goldman Sachs, over fears that its sewage-derived fertilizer is tainted with harmful chemicals known as PFAS. Ranchers nearby have reported livestock sickness linked to the fertilizer, prompting further investigations.
The City of Fort Worth, Texas, has made the decision to terminate its contract with Synagro, a fertilizer provider backed by Goldman Sachs, due to growing concerns regarding the contamination of local farmland and groundwater by so-called “forever chemicals.” These chemicals, known scientifically as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have raised alarms across the nation for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.In March, Fort Worth also filed a lawsuit against several PFAS manufacturers, asserting they have polluted the city's water supplies. This follows previous reports detailing how ranchers in nearby Johnson County have expressed fears that their crops and livestock have been adversely affected by the sewage-sludge fertilizer distributed by Synagro. The ranchers claim that the company's fertilizer — derived from treated sewage from the city’s treatment plant — has contaminated their lands.As a reaction to these concerns, Johnson County has initiated a criminal investigation into Synagro's practices. Recent studies indicate that sewage sludge, which is commonly repurposed as fertilizer, can harbor toxic PFAS, which are widely used in many everyday products, including nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics. The unfolding situation highlights the urgent need for regulations surrounding industrial waste and its impact on agriculture and public health.
