Support LD 25: A Smart Investment to Manage PFAS Sludge
PFAS-laden sludge is creating a growing waste crisis for Maine’s wastewater treatment plants—and the consequences can threaten our health, environment, and economy. Now is the time to act!
LD 25 –An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects–will soon be heard at the Maine Legislature. Your voice can help protect public health and Maine’s environment.
How to Take Action:
📢 Submit written testimony
📢 Testify live (via Zoom or in person) at the hearing on Thursday, April 10 at 1 pm.
Keep reading to learn how to take action—or check out our Action Hub.
The Problem: PFAS Sludge Puts Public Health at Risk
For years, Maine allowed treated wastewater sludge to be spread on farmland. But after discovering it contained PFAS—dangerous “forever chemicals”—the state banned the practice to protect our food and water.
Now that sludge can’t be spread on farm fields, it has to be sent to landfills—straining limited space and risking further contamination.
❌ PFAS threatens water, soil, and food
❌ Sludge is wet, heavy, and hard to manage
❌ Landfills are near capacity
The Solution: Invest in Proven Technology and Safe Management
LD 25 would fund proven technologies to safely treat and reduce PFAS sludge, including:
✔ Dryers and digesters to stabilize and shrink sludge
✔ Pilot programs to explore new treatment methods
✔ Continued leadership on PFAS protections
Make Your Voice Heard!
Personal stories matter. If you care about clean water, safe food, and healthy communities, let legislators know why LD 25 matters to you.
FAQ
🔹 What does LD 25 do? It provides state bond funding—administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection—to help wastewater treatment plants safely manage PFAS-laden sludge using proven technologies like dryers and digesters.
🔹 Why is sludge disposal a problem? Since land application was banned, sludge has nowhere to go but landfills. It’s heavy, unstable, and costly to dispose of—and still contains PFAS.
🔹 How does this bond help? It funds safe, efficient treatment systems and pilot programs that reduce health and environmental risks—saving taxpayers money in the long run.
🔹 What can I do? Visit our Action Hub (below) to learn how to submit testimony or testify live (on Zoom or in person).
Action Hub
Talking Points for Your Testimony
- Protect Public Health: PFAS in sludge can contaminate water and food sources, posing serious health risks like cancer and immune system harm.
- Relieve Pressure on Landfills: With land application banned, sludge is filling up our landfills—many of which are nearing capacity.
- Support Local Communities: Rising disposal costs are straining wastewater treatment plants and taxpayers.
- Fund Proven Solutions: Dryers and digesters reduce sludge volume, improve stability, and lower contamination risks.
Encourage Innovation: The bond supports pilot programs to explore safer, more efficient treatment options. - Invest in Maine’s Future: LD 25 is a smart, cost-effective step to protect our environment, economy, and communities from long-term PFAS impacts.
How to Submit Your Testimony
Click on the options below to read instructions on how to submit testimony via a written letter, Zoom, or in person. You can also watch our How to Submit Testimony video
Submit Written Testimony
- Write your letter to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
- Go to the Testimony Submission page.
- Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
- Select the hearing date: Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.
- Select the bill: LD 25 – An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects
- Upload or type your testimony letter directly into the form.
- Enter your contact information into the form.
- Hit Submit
- Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!
Testify Live On Zoom
- Write your message to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
- Go to the Testimony Submission page.
- Write your message to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
- Go to the Testimony Submission page.
- Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
- Select the hearing date: Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.
- Select the bill: LD 25 – An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects
- Check the box for electronic testimony if attending via Zoom.
- Optional: Upload or type your testimony letter directly into the form.
- Enter your contact information into the form.
- Hit Submit
- On Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1 p.m., log onto the Zoom emailed to you by the legislature.
- When it is your turn, speak from your notes and from your heart!
- Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!
Testify Live In Person
- Write your message to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
- Go to the Testimony Submission page.
- Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
- Select the hearing date: Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.
- Select the bill: LD 25 – An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects
- Do NOT enter your testimony into the form.
- Enter your contact information into the form.
- Hit Submit
- Bring 20 printed copies of your testimony to the State House.
- On Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1 p.m.,
- go to the The Appropriations and Financial Affairs public hearings take place in the State House, Augusta, Maine 04330, Room 228.
- Hand in your 20 copies of testimony.
- When it is your turn, speak from your notes and from your heart!
- Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!
Directions, Parking, & Bike Info:
- The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee public hearings take place in the State House, Augusta, Maine 04330, Room 228.
- Free public parking is available in front of the Cross Building. Observe any parking restriction signs.
- Disability Parking spaces are located between the State House and the Cross Office Building.
- We encourage biking! There is a bollard-style rack between the Capitol and the Cross building
Watch Our "How to Submit Testimony" Video
Sample Testimony
Here’s a sample of written testimony you can use to inspire your own:
Dear Senator Rotundo, Representative Gattine, and members of the Committee,
I am writing in strong support of LD 25 – An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects.
Maine made the right decision in banning the land application of PFAS-laden sludge to protect our food, water, and health. But this necessary step has created a pressing need: we must now manage this toxic waste safely and effectively. LD 25 provides a smart, long-term solution.
Insert your personal connection here. Examples:
- “As someone who works at a wastewater treatment facility, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult and costly it is to manage sludge since the ban.”
- “I live near a landfill, and I worry about how PFAS might affect our local groundwater.
- “As a parent, I want to know that our food and water are free from toxic chemicals.”
By funding the installation of dryers, digesters, and pilot treatment programs at wastewater treatment facilities, this bond will reduce sludge volume, lower disposal costs, and help prevent further contamination of our environment. The Maine DEP will ensure that funds are directed where they are needed most and where they can have the greatest impact.
Add an personal note. Examples:
- “Our community is already seeing rising sewer rates due to sludge disposal costs—this bill would provide real relief.”
- “I want to be sure Maine continues leading the way on PFAS protections, and this bill helps us do just that.”
Clean water and healthy communities are vital to Maine’s future. I urge you to support LD 25 and invest in the infrastructure we need to protect public health, our environment, and our economy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Town or City]
[Optional: any relevant affiliation or role]
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