Yuma County urges state action on biosolids as residents press for testing, transparency

Vice-Chairman Jonathan W. Lines told the Board on May 4 that Yuma County has spent the past five years working with state agencies to halt the disposal of biosolids within the county, and that he and Chairman Martin Porchas recently met with leaders of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona State Land Department to press for alternative disposal sites.

At the meeting, three residents raised concerns related to biosolids and landfill operations. Rodney L. Williams, a Yuma County resident who described professional experience in agriculture, renewable energy and groundwater development, said he was concerned that disposal practices in the region were not being carried out in accordance with environmental guidelines and warned of potential risks to the county's groundwater given the region's connection to a large aquifer system. Williams also alleged hazardous materials are being transported from areas surrounding the Salton Sea into Yuma County and said such wastes should be managed at source in California; he offered his expertise to assist the county’s efforts.

Carlos Adams asked whether the county has conducted recent public-health assessments, environmental exposure studies, or air and water quality testing related to landfill operations, citing reports of increased flies and potential exposure concerns; he requested that any reports and land-use agreements governing the landfill be made publicly available. Tyler Woodman followed up on the Board’s December correspondence to the State about the AgTech lease, saying six months had passed without a response and asking what the Board will do if the State does not respond. He also requested disclosure of the data the Board used to support previous conclusions and said he has submitted records requests to ADEQ.

Lines framed the matter as constrained by state authority, noting the county has pursued correspondence, legislative measures, and meetings with ADEQ and the State Land Department to urge cessation of biosolids disposal in the county and for identification of alternative locations. He also said the county has asked municipalities that use the facilities to explore other disposal options because they contribute significantly to the volume processed at those sites.

Why it matters: Residents said the issues raise potential public-health and groundwater risks and called for more transparency. The Board’s action to press state agencies and seek alternatives shifts the issue into intergovernmental negotiations and possible legislative remedies rather than local unilateral authority.

What’s next: The transcript records ongoing outreach to state agencies and legislative avenues; the Board did not take a new formal action on this item at the meeting.