Tough Questions, No Easy Answers: A Turning Point at the Hoosac Water Quality District Meeting
At the May 14 meeting of the Hoosac Water Quality District (HWQD), board members, staff, and a large number of concerned residents came together for a conversation about the future of sewage sludge composting in our region. The meeting reflected growing public scrutiny of how HWQD handles biosolids, particularly as awareness about PFAS ("forever chemicals") increases and disposal options narrow.
Audit and Budget Updates
The meeting opened with a presentation of the FY2024 audit by Dave Irwin of Adelson & Company PC, who issued a clean opinion. The District’s financials were described as healthy and well-managed. HWQD ended the fiscal year with a surplus and a stable operating budget, bolstered by solar credits. However, due to recent developments, the budget approved in March was rescinded unanimously and will need to be rewritten before the June 30 deadline. An additional meeting will be held in early June to approve the revised budget.
Current Operations
Recent rainstorms pushed the plant’s peak flow to 14 million gallons per day, prompting staff to bring all clarifiers online. Meanwhile, the District has continued daily compost screening and currently has 4,000 yards of compost stockpiled.
The big news?
The District’s prior plan to contract with Casella for compost management has collapsed. Due to a moratorium in Albany County, NY—and rising national scrutiny—Casella withdrew its more viable options. This leaves HWQD with one outdated proposal from Casella and two non-viable options from Synagro. As a result, the board now plans to continue composting in-house through 2026, thanks to a recent extension from MassDEP.
Composting in Question: PFAS, Public Health, and the Path Forward
Over 15 residents and stakeholders spoke during public comment, voicing a wide range of concerns:
PFAS Risks: Speakers raised alarm about the long-term risks of land-applying compost that contains PFAS, especially on agricultural land and in community settings where water contamination is a concern.
Transparency & Education: Several attendees urged HWQD to communicate more clearly with the public about how PFAS enters the waste stream and what residents can do to reduce contamination.
Moral Responsibility: While composting remains technically legal in Massachusetts, residents argued that legality shouldn’t be the only standard. As one speaker put it, “It’s not your fault PFAS are in it, but you know it’s wrong—so it’s your responsibility to find a better solution.”
Cost of Landfilling vs. Composting: Landfilling the current compost stockpile is estimated at $500,000, compared to roughly half that to maintain the composting operation. But speakers emphasized that financial cost must be weighed against public health risks and long-term environmental impact.
Access and Regulation: HWQD clarified that compost is not classified as fertilizer and cannot legally be sold for agricultural use. Yet because it's labeled as a “soil enhancer,” it is still accessible to the public—raising concerns about how it's ultimately being used.
One particularly tense moment came when a resident pressed the board on why the compost remains available for pickup: “If there’s no good way to get rid of it safely, why is it being offered to the public?”
What’s Next?
With the budget back on the drawing board, the board is now working under a tight timeline. Commissioners acknowledged that the public’s voice is shifting the direction of the conversation, but clear consensus on a path forward remains elusive.
Some commissioners, like Hugh, expressed hesitation: “I’m predisposed to the status quo,” he said, citing cost concerns. But others, including many residents, urged the board to move quickly to stop producing a product that may pose future liability and health risks.
As one attendee put it: “First rule of holes—when you’re in one, stop digging.”
Quick Facts
Current Compost Stockpile: 4,000 yards, may increase to 6–7K next year
Landfilling Cost Estimate: $500,000+
Compost PFAS Levels: 10–13 parts per billion (ppb), tested quarterly
MassDEP Extension: Composting of sludge permitted through January 2028
New Budget Deadline: June 30, 2025
🗣️ Community Action
Town Meeting season is upon us. Williamstown has already added $200,000 to cover potential compost-related costs. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, contact MassDEP and the EPA to demand broader PFAS education, and participate in local forums.
In the words of one community member: “We don’t have to wait for the regulations to change. We can choose to lead.”
Further Reading
HQWD Rescinds Proposed FY25 Budget Over Sludge Disposal Changes By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
08:29PM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 https://www.iberkshires.com/story/78983/HQWD-Rescinds-Proposed-FY25-Budget-Over-Sludge-Disposal-Changes.html
08:29PM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 https://www.iberkshires.com/story/78983/HQWD-Rescinds-Proposed-FY25-Budget-Over-Sludge-Disposal-Changes.html
Hoosick Quality Water District https://www.hoosacwaterqualitydistrict.com/
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