Bartlesville council opposes proposed state ban on land application of biosolids, cites costs and limited science
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Summary
The council voted to oppose three Oklahoma bills that would restrict municipal land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, saying the measures could force costly changes and that scientific standards for PFAS in soils are still developing.
The Bartlesville City Council on April 7 adopted a resolution opposing proposed state legislation that would restrict or ban land application of municipal biosolids (sewage sludge), citing uncertainty about emerging PFAS standards and potential local costs.
City staff and the wastewater superintendent told the council that biosolids are currently applied on pasture and agricultural land under state and federal rules, providing a low‑cost beneficial reuse that also supplies fertilizer to landowners. Staff warned that the proposed bills—Senate Bill 003 (SB003), SB268 and House Bill 1726 (HB1726) as discussed in committee—would effectively require municipalities to shift to landfill disposal or incineration, a move the city estimates could require millions of dollars in new equipment and roughly $200,000 a year in additional operating cost for Bartlesville.
Speakers at the meeting noted there is ongoing federal and state work on per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but that standardized testing and scientifically established soil thresholds for PFAS are not yet in place. The city’s resolution asks the legislature to slow action until consistent, science‑based requirements are available and to consider the economic impacts on municipalities.
Council voted to adopt the resolution. The roll call was: Vice Mayor Dorsey — Aye; Mister Sherrick — No; Mister East — Aye; Mister Kirkpatrick — Aye; Mayor Kurd — Aye. The resolution will be forwarded to the city’s state legislative delegation and other relevant parties as specified in staff materials.
